Tag: Finance

Business

TATA AIG’s SME Business Insurance Offers Comprehensive Risk Cover for Goa’s Enterprises

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

Fire incidents reported across the country, including in Goa, have once again highlighted how quickly emergencies can escalate and how unprepared many small enterprises remain when it comes to risk protection. Beyond the immediate human and material losses, such incidents expose a deeper challenge—the ability of businesses to recover and continue operations in the absence of adequate insurance coverage.

Goa’s economy is driven by a diverse mix of industries ranging from hospitality and pharmaceuticals to shipbuilding, light engineering, food processing and several ancillary and local enterprises spread across industrial and commercial clusters. Despite this industrial diversity, a significant number of small and medium enterprises continue to remain underinsured or only partially insured, leaving them vulnerable to fire, natural calamities, machinery breakdowns and business interruptions.

TATA AIG’s SME Business Insurance is designed to address this protection gap by offering comprehensive coverage tailored to the needs of small enterprises. The solution includes protection against fire and allied perils, machinery breakdown and loss of income due to insured interruptions. In addition, coverage can also be extended to employees’ hospitalization expenses arising from such incidents, ensuring care for the workforce while safeguarding business interests.

Whether it is damage caused by an electrical short circuit in a manufacturing unit or losses incurred due to water damage during firefighting operations, such insurance solutions help businesses recover financially while maintaining operational continuity. Equally important is the need for enterprises to periodically reassess their sum insured to ensure that claim payouts reflect the true scale of potential losses.

Commenting on the importance of preparedness, Pranay Shah, Head – SME Products at TATA AIG General Insurance, stated that small businesses form the backbone of the economy yet remain among the most vulnerable during disasters. He emphasized that TATA AIG is committed to delivering reliable insurance solutions that protect assets, ensure continuity and safeguard livelihoods, empowering businesses to face uncertainties with confidence.

For Goa’s business community, recent incidents serve as a timely reminder that comprehensive insurance is not merely a regulatory requirement but a critical pillar of risk preparedness and long-term sustainability. In densely populated industrial and commercial zones, having the right insurance coverage can often make the difference between recovery and closure, reinforcing the need for enterprises to take proactive steps toward comprehensive risk protection.

Business

Kotak Securities’ 2026 Market Outlook Signals Strong Equities and Shining Gold Amid Global Volatility

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

Kotak Securities Ltd (“Kotak Neo”) has released its Market Outlook 2026, presenting a confident view of India’s financial landscape for the coming year. Despite global volatility, the firm expects Indian equities and key commodities to maintain strong momentum driven by favourable macro conditions, robust earnings expectations and rising investor participation. Shripal Shah, MD & CEO of Kotak Securities, said that India continues to stand out as a beacon of growth amid global turbulence. According to him, equity markets are well-positioned to deliver strong performance in 2026, supported by healthy corporate earnings and policy initiatives. Shah also highlighted the increasing role of young investors in shaping the future of India’s capital markets, adding that the industry must work towards making investing more inclusive and accessible.

Citing recent SEBI findings, Shah noted a significant gap between market awareness and actual participation: while 63% of households are aware of at least one market product, only 9.5% actively invest. This, he said, indicates substantial untapped potential for the Indian equity ecosystem and a major opportunity for brokerage firms to drive greater financial inclusion. The report points out that Indian equities overcame a sharp 17% drawdown from the September 2024 highs, with the Nifty 50 rebounding to a new all-time high by the end of 2025. Large-cap stocks led the recovery, while mid- and small-cap segments trailed. Sectors such as automobiles, banks and metals outperformed during the year, whereas IT and FMCG remained under pressure. Persistent foreign portfolio investor outflows were absorbed by strong domestic investor activity, further reinforcing confidence in India’s market resilience. A buoyant primary market through 2025 demonstrated sustained investor interest and optimism.

Looking ahead, Kotak Securities expects Nifty earnings to remain healthy, projecting profit growth of 17.6% for FY27 and 14.8% for FY28. Based on these expectations, the report lays out three potential scenarios for December 2026: a base case target of 29,120 assuming a 20x PE on FY28 expected EPS of ₹1,456, a bull case of 32,032 at a 22x PE, and a bear case scenario of 26,208 at an 18x multiple. On the commodities front, 2025 saw exceptional movements. Gold surged over 55%, crossing the $4,000 per ounce mark, driven by geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic uncertainty and strong central bank buying. Indian gold prices rose even more sharply—approximately 60%—due to rupee depreciation. Silver proved an even stronger performer with gains of nearly 100%, supported by safe-haven demand and persistent structural supply deficits despite industrial headwinds from tariffs. Crude oil, however, ended 2025 with a 19% decline as excess supply outweighed geopolitical concerns. Base metals like copper and aluminium remained firm, supported by tight supply conditions, electrification demand and structural constraints even as volatility persisted.

Overall, Kotak Securities’ Market Outlook 2026 emphasizes a year of opportunity for investors willing to navigate global uncertainty with a focus on India’s strong fundamentals, expanding investor base and commodity trends that continue to offer both stability and growth potential.

EduConnect

U.N.M.U.T.E. Training of Trainers Program Concludes Successfully at Ganpat Parsekar College

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The five-day U.N.M.U.T.E. Training of Trainers Program came to a meaningful close at Ganpat Parsekar College of Education, Harmal, bringing together a vibrant group of educators, trainers, and experts who shared a collective commitment to strengthening digital awareness across Goa. The program focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge on digital safety, AI literacy, financial literacy, and essential government schemes, all delivered through creative, interactive, and community-oriented methods designed to be easily transferred to local groups and institutions.

The closing ceremony featured distinguished speakers who enriched the learning experience with their insights and expertise. Prof. Anand Kumar delivered an inspiring keynote address that emphasized the importance of digital empowerment in an increasingly technology-driven world. Dr. Rahul Tripathi from Goa University added depth to the discussions with his insights on responsible and conscious digital participation. Dr. Arvind, also from Goa University, encouraged participants to think innovatively through a powerful lightning talk that highlighted new ways of engaging with digital tools. Amitabh Kumar, Co-founder of Contrails.ai, shared special remarks on the future of technology and the role of community-led initiatives in driving digital progress.

The program also featured an impactful inaugural talk by PSI Sahil Vijay Warang of Anjuna Police Station, who addressed rising cyber threats and shared essential knowledge on safe digital practices, responsible online behavior, and the significance of protecting personal data. His real-life examples and practical advice enabled participants to understand cyber challenges more deeply and carry forward this awareness in their communities.

Participants expressed appreciation for the diversity of expertise and the interactive nature of the sessions. Many shared that the training boosted their confidence in guiding others toward safer, smarter, and more responsible digital habits. The U.N.M.U.T.E. initiative concluded on an uplifting note, reinforcing a shared commitment to creating digitally aware, resilient, and empowered communities across Goa.

Business

RFC Delegation Visits EDC to Study Turnaround Strategy and Success Measures

allycaralgoa

The Goa Economic Development Corporation (EDC) welcomed a delegation from the Rajasthan Financial Corporation (RFC), which visited its office to study and exchange insights on the successful turnaround strategies implemented by EDC over the years.

The RFC delegation was led by Dr. Har Sahay Meena, IAS, Executive Director, accompanied by Ramesh Sankhala, RAcs, ED (Finance) and Richhpal Pawaria, Manager. Their visit aimed to understand the structural reforms, innovative practices, and operational efficiencies that have contributed to EDC’s strong performance and sustainable growth.

During the session, EDC Managing Director B.S. Pai Angle, along with General Manager Ashwin Kamat and Deputy General Manager John Souza, delivered an in-depth presentation. They highlighted the challenges EDC faced in previous years, the strategic interventions adopted, and the transformative steps that led to significant improvement in operations and outcomes.

The interaction served as a platform for mutual learning, enabling both institutions to explore collaborative approaches, share experiences, and enhance institutional practices to better support entrepreneurship and economic development.

The visit reinforced the importance of knowledge-sharing among state financial institutions across the country, with EDC standing as a model of innovation, resilience, and effective financial management.

Business

India’s Gold Demand Drops 16% in Q3 2025 Amid Record Prices, Investment Buys Surge

Tanisha Cardozo

India’s gold demand declined by 16% year-on-year in the July-September quarter of 2025, as record-high prices curtailed jewellery purchases even as investment buying showed remarkable growth, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). Total gold demand dropped to 209.4 tonnes in Q3 2025, compared with 248.3 tonnes during the same period last year. Despite the lower volume, the value of gold demand rose sharply by 23% to Rs 2,03,240 crore from Rs 1,65,380 crore, reflecting a surge in gold prices.

Gold jewellery, which forms the bulk of India’s consumption, fell 31% to 117.7 tonnes from 171.6 tonnes a year ago. However, consumers continued to adjust to high prices, keeping the total value of jewellery purchases steady at around Rs 1,14,270 crore. In contrast, investment demand grew 20% by volume to 91.6 tonnes and surged 74% in value to Rs 88,970 crore, highlighting Indian consumers’ growing commitment to gold as a long-term store of wealth.

The average gold price in India during the quarter climbed to Rs 97,074.9 per 10 grams, up 46% from Rs 66,614.1 a year earlier, excluding import duty and GST. Internationally, gold prices averaged $3,456.5 per ounce, compared with $2,474.3 in the same period last year.

Sachin Jain, Regional CEO (India) of the WGC, noted that despite the drop in overall demand, early signs of recovery were visible in October, driven by the festive and wedding seasons. Many consumers advanced wedding-related purchases in anticipation of further price increases, which could support strong fourth-quarter demand.

Gold imports fell 37% to 194.6 tonnes from 308.2 tonnes a year earlier, while recycling declined 7% to 21.8 tonnes. The WGC noted that the lower import volume reflected the exceptionally high base in the previous year, following a duty cut announced in the July 2024 budget that triggered a surge in purchases.

For the full year 2025, the WGC expects India’s gold demand to total between 600 and 700 tonnes, likely near the higher end of that range, after cumulative demand of 462.4 tonnes in the first nine months. Globally, gold demand hit a record 1,313 tonnes in Q3, driven mainly by central bank buying and investment inflows, with Poland’s National Bank as the largest central bank buyer.

Jain emphasized that India’s demand profile differs from global trends, where central bank purchases and investment flows dominate, as jewellery demand remains predominantly an Indian phenomenon. Geopolitical uncertainties, trade tensions, and diversification of dollar reserves into gold are expected to keep prices and demand momentum firm in the months ahead.