Author: Neel Achary

RAKEZ workshop helps businesses simplify tax compliance strengthen financial management

Ras Al Khaimah, Mar 17: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) recently organised an expert-led workshop aimed at helping businesses navigate UAE corporate tax requirements while strengthening their financial management practices. The session brought together entrepreneurs and business leaders from the RAKEZ community to gain practical insights on maintaining compliance and building stronger financial resilience in today’s evolving business environment.

The workshop focused on equipping companies with a clearer understanding of corporate tax obligations while offering practical strategies to manage spending, improve cash flow visibility, and maintain financial stability. Participants were guided through key aspects of the UAE’s corporate tax framework, including registration requirements, proper record-keeping practices, and approaches to ensuring accurate and timely tax filings.

During the session, attendees also gained insights into corporate tax thresholds and available relief mechanisms, including the 0% tax threshold and the Small Business Relief scheme, helping businesses better understand how these provisions apply to their operations. The workshop further explored practical financial management approaches that companies can adopt to strengthen their financial position, including prioritising spending, improving cash flow monitoring, and using automation tools to enhance operational efficiency and support more sustainable growth.

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “Our focus at RAKEZ is to ensure that businesses within our community remain well-informed and well-prepared. By bringing together regulatory expertise and practical financial insights, we help our clients strengthen their operations and make confident decisions for their growth.”

The workshop featured insights from industry experts, including Profit Acceleration Specialist and Founding Launch Director of BNI RAK Mike Hoff, who shared growth-focused financial strategies for business owners, and Tax Consultant John Casey, who provided guidance on navigating the UAE’s corporate tax landscape and maintaining compliance.

Through its ongoing programme of expert-led sessions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, RAKEZ continues to provide businesses with access to practical insights, industry expertise, and the latest regulatory updates, enabling companies to stay compliant while strengthening their operational and financial foundations.

Axis Finance Launches AI Monitoring of Collection Calls, Sets New Benchmark in Customer Protection

Mumbai, Mar 17: Axis Finance Limited (AFL), one of India’s fastest-growing non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), today announced the rollout of a fully AI-led quality monitoring framework for its collection calls, aimed at elevating customer protection, strengthening compliance, and reinforcing fair, transparent and responsible communication during repayment interactions.

Collection calls are among the most critical customer touchpoint in the lending lifecycle. With this implementation, outbound collection call is now monitored, analysed and assessed to ensure conversations are conducted in an appropriate, respectful and consistent manner, aligned with responsible collection practices and internal governance standards. This transition marks a shift from limited manual call sampling to technology-enabled monitoring at scale, enabling stronger and more consistent supervision across customer interactions.

This AI-enabled framework provides deeper insights into customer conversations, guiding teams on appropriate follow-up actions. It enables standards-driven communication, compliant and conduct-led interactions, and higher-quality customer conversations, while supporting proportionate engagement, reducing repeat outreach and improving clarity across the collections process.

By transitioning from limited sampling to larger call coverage, Axis Finance has significantly strengthened accountability and oversight across customer interactions. The framework has been designed with a governance and compliance-first approach, reinforcing responsible collection practices and strengthening customer protection across the collections process. Calls flagged for potential deviations from expected conduct are identified and escalated through a structured review process, enabling prompt and appropriate corrective action, where required.

The initiative also supports a more uniform and trustworthy customer experience. Insights from monitored conversations help address recurring customer concerns and reduce friction during repayment discussions. The AI-led monitoring framework has been deployed in a live, high-volume collections environment as part of Axis Finance’s broader efforts to strengthen operational governance across customer-facing functions.

Commenting on the initiative, Sai Giridhar, Managing Director & CEO, Axis Finance Limited said,

“At Axis Finance, we remain committed to strengthening customer trust through responsible and transparent practices. The introduction of our AI-led monitoring framework reinforces this commitment by ensuring every interaction is conducted with fairness, clarity and respect. Technology continues to play an important role in deepening governance across our processes, and this initiative further supports our focus on building customer-centric, compliant and well‑supervised operations.”

This development is part of Axis Finance’s broader commitment to responsible lending, customer-first operations, and governance-driven processes, supported by technology-enabled monitoring across customer-facing functions.

Indian Stock Market: From Record Highs to Volatility — A Winter of Contrasts (Dec 2025–Mar 2026)

The period between December 2025 and March 2026 proved to be one of the most eventful quarters for India’s stock market in recent years. It was a season that began with optimism and record-breaking milestones but soon transitioned into a phase of correction, global uncertainty, and renewed resilience. For investors, the winter months offered a vivid reminder of how rapidly market sentiment can shift in a globally connected financial ecosystem.

A Rally That Reached New Heights

As 2025 drew to a close, Indian equity markets were riding on strong momentum built throughout the year. Robust corporate earnings, resilient domestic consumption, and steady inflows from domestic institutional investors helped propel the benchmarks to historic levels.

The BSE Sensex surged past the 86,000 mark, while the Nifty 50 climbed above 26,000, reflecting investor confidence in India’s economic trajectory. Banking, financial services, and infrastructure stocks led the rally, supported by strong balance sheets and expectations of sustained credit growth.

Retail participation in the equity markets also continued to rise. Systematic investment plans (SIPs) into mutual funds remained strong, cushioning the market from volatility and reducing dependence on foreign capital flows. For much of December, the mood on Dalal Street was unmistakably bullish.

The Turn: Profit Booking and Global Headwinds

However, the exuberance did not last long. As the calendar turned to January 2026, markets began to show signs of fatigue. After months of sustained gains, investors started booking profits, triggering a correction in benchmark indices.

Global developments added to the pressure. Rising crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and uncertainty surrounding global interest rate policies created nervousness among investors. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs), who had previously supported the rally, began pulling out funds from Indian equities.

The correction was swift. Both the Sensex and Nifty retreated significantly from their record highs, reflecting broader concerns about global growth, inflation risks, and elevated market valuations.

Market strategists noted that the correction was not entirely unexpected. After an extended rally, valuations in several sectors had become stretched, leaving equities vulnerable to external shocks. The pullback, many analysts argued, was a natural phase in a longer-term bullish cycle.

Sectoral Divergence Becomes Visible

During the correction phase, the performance gap between sectors became more evident. Technology and export-oriented companies faced pressure amid global economic uncertainty, while sectors linked to domestic demand — such as banking, infrastructure, and capital goods — remained relatively resilient.

Large-cap stocks, particularly those in the banking and financial services space, continued to attract investor interest. Their strong earnings visibility and relatively stable balance sheets made them preferred picks during volatile market conditions.

Meanwhile, mid-cap and small-cap stocks experienced sharper fluctuations as investors reassessed valuations and rotated capital toward safer large-cap counters.

March: Signs of Stability and Recovery

By March 2026, signs of stabilization began to emerge in the Indian equity market. Select heavyweight stocks helped drive a recovery in benchmark indices, supported by renewed buying from domestic investors and value-seeking institutional participants.

Banking and financial stocks played a crucial role in the rebound. Market leaders across the sector witnessed renewed interest as investors looked for fundamentally strong companies capable of delivering consistent earnings growth.

The recovery also reflected confidence in India’s broader economic fundamentals. Despite global uncertainty, India’s macroeconomic indicators remained relatively stable. Economic growth projections continued to outpace many other major economies, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the most attractive emerging markets for long-term investors.

Domestic Strength vs Global Uncertainty

The December–March quarter highlighted a defining characteristic of India’s modern equity market: its growing resilience, driven largely by domestic capital.

In the past, sharp foreign investor outflows could trigger steep market declines. Today, strong domestic institutional participation — including mutual funds, insurance companies, and retail investors — has created a more balanced market structure.

Even during periods of foreign selling, domestic investors have stepped in to absorb supply, helping stabilize market movements.

Nevertheless, global developments continue to influence short-term sentiment. Fluctuations in oil prices, geopolitical conflicts, and changes in global monetary policy remain key variables that investors closely monitor.

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, market experts believe that the next phase of growth in Indian equities will depend less on valuation expansion and more on sustained corporate earnings growth.

Infrastructure spending, manufacturing expansion, and continued digital transformation across sectors are expected to support long-term economic growth. These structural drivers could provide a strong foundation for equity markets in the coming years.

For investors, the winter of 2025–26 served as an important lesson. Markets may move in cycles of enthusiasm and caution, but the broader story of India’s economic rise continues to attract global attention.

In many ways, the events of the past few months reaffirm a simple truth about financial markets: while volatility is inevitable, strong fundamentals often provide the most reliable anchor for long-term confidence.

March Liquidity Tightness May Create Opportunities for Short-Term Debt Investors

India’s fiscal year-end liquidity dynamics may present a window of opportunity for investors in short-term debt instruments, particularly through liquid and money market mutual funds. Historically, the period between December and March has been one of the most favorable for such investments due to temporary liquidity pressures in the financial system that tend to push short-term yields higher.

According to market data, yields on money market instruments often rise during the final months of the financial year as banks, corporates, and financial institutions adjust their balance sheets and liquidity positions. This seasonal tightening typically leads to higher yields on instruments such as commercial papers (CPs), certificates of deposit (CDs), and treasury bills.

Seasonal Yield Spike Around Fiscal Year-End

The year-end period coincides with several liquidity-draining events across the economy. Companies and individuals make tax payments, corporates distribute dividends, and governments increase treasury bill issuance to manage fiscal cash flows. At the same time, banks adjust their liquidity ratios ahead of quarter-end reporting. These combined factors create a temporary spike in short-term borrowing costs in the money market.

Historically, this pattern has led to yields peaking around March and early April, before stabilizing as liquidity returns to the system. For debt investors, this window can offer an opportunity to lock in higher yields in short-duration instruments.

Active Portfolio Management Gains Importance

Fund managers often respond to this seasonal trend by adjusting portfolio maturity profiles. Instead of maintaining a constant duration strategy, some actively manage maturities to capture the yield spike. This involves increasing average maturity around March–April and reinvesting proceeds from maturing instruments at elevated rates.

For example, money market funds may hold instruments with slightly longer maturities during this phase to benefit from favorable rate movements, while liquid funds may deploy rolling maturities to reinvest proceeds into higher-yielding short-term securities.

Current Yield Environment

As of February 28, 2026, a money market fund cited in the report was running a yield to maturity (YTM) of about 6.69% with a Macaulay duration of 164 days, while a liquid fund was operating at around 6.18% YTM with a much shorter duration of 39 days. These figures reflect the typical short-duration positioning of such funds while they aim to benefit from seasonal yield movements.

While absolute yields are slightly lower compared with previous years, expectations of possible rate easing combined with fiscal year-end liquidity dynamics could still support performance in the near term, analysts note.

Outlook

With fiscal year-end liquidity tightening and potential interest-rate adjustments on the horizon, short-term debt funds may continue to attract investor interest. Market participants say strategies that dynamically manage maturity and reinvestment timing could be better positioned to capture yield spikes during the March–April period while maintaining liquidity and credit discipline.

However, experts caution that returns in debt funds remain linked to market conditions, and investors should consider their risk appetite and investment horizon before allocating funds to such instruments.

Deepanshu appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by IIMSAM.

Mumbai, Mar 17: Deepanshu Manchanda, Founder and Managing Director of DSM Fresh Foods Ltd. (ZappFresh), has been appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the IIMSAM—an observer organization to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

This prestigious appointment recognizes Manchanda’s contributions toward building inclusive and transparent food systems, strengthening farmer livelihoods, and advancing global nutrition and food security.

Founded in 2015, DSM Fresh Foods Ltd. has been driven by the belief that food safety, traceability, and farmer inclusion are critical to public health and economic resilience. A significant aspect of Manchanda’s work has focused on creating sustainable income opportunities for smallholder farmers, particularly women producers.

Through a collaboration with Shared Wealth Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Heifer International, the company has implemented a backyard poultry sourcing model across Odisha, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh. This initiative connects women-led farming households directly with organized markets while promoting improved biosecurity and premium procurement practices.

Role and Focus Areas

As Goodwill Ambassador, Manchanda will support initiatives aligned with key global priorities, including:

• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Promoting sustainable and innovative nutrition solutions

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Raising awareness on nutrition interventions to combat malnutrition

• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthening collaboration among institutions, communities, and stakeholders

Leadership Commentary

Commenting on the appointment, Deepanshu Manchanda said:

“I’m honoured by IIMSAM’s recognition. It reflects the journey we began at ZappFresh to build transparent food systems that support smallholder farmers and improve nutrition outcomes. I’m eager to contribute toward achieving Zero Hunger, better nutrition, and stronger global partnerships.”

Edwin Saldanha Launches Marketinn to Help Hotels Enhance AI Discoverability and Drive Direct Bookings

Mumbai, Mar 17: Hospitality technology leader Edwin Saldanha announced the launch of Marketinn, a specialised digital marketing and consultancy agency designed to help hotels adapt to the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence-driven travel discovery.

 As travellers increasingly shift from traditional search engines to AI-powered platforms for hotel recommendations and itinerary planning, hotels face growing challenges in maintaining visibility and competitiveness. Marketinn aims to bridge this gap by enabling hotels to strengthen AI discoverability, reduce dependence on online travel agencies (OTAs), and increase direct bookings through data-driven strategies.

“Hoteliers today must face a simple truth: AI visibility is the new baseline for survival,” said Edwin Saldanha, Founder and Chief Solutions Officer of Marketinn. “Independent hotels have the data, but often lack the roadmap. Marketinn bridges that gap by combining digital visibility, direct booking strategy, and AI discovery to deliver measurable results.”

Industry Expertise Backing the Venture

Saldanha brings over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with leading brands such as Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Stamford Hotels and Resorts. Most recently, he served as Marketing Director at STAAH, where he played a key role in expanding the platform’s global footprint from a few hundred properties to more than 30,000 partners.

Key Offerings

Marketinn’s solutions are designed to help hotels navigate digital complexity and unlock revenue opportunities:

• AI Visibility & Digital Intelligence Audit: Comprehensive analysis of a hotel’s presence across AI platforms, search engines, OTA channels, and direct booking systems, including a proprietary Digital Intelligence Score.

• Digital Revenue Strategy: Tailored strategies to strengthen online visibility and maximize direct bookings.

• Implementation Support: End-to-end execution to convert insights into measurable improvements in traffic and revenue.

• Revenue Leak Detector: Identification of hidden inefficiencies such as OTA dominance in search results and weak website conversion paths that impact direct bookings.

Addressing a Critical Industry Shift

With AI rapidly reshaping travel discovery and booking behavior, Marketinn positions itself as a strategic partner for hotels seeking to remain competitive in a digital-first landscape. By combining industry expertise with advanced analytics, the platform empowers independent hotels to achieve revenue optimization comparable to large hospitality chains.