| | SEPTEMBER 20238Based on the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), India is on its way to becoming a global leader in the mobile device segment, with smartphone exports doubling to more than USD 11 billion. Big-C mobiles, a Hyderabad-based multi-brand mobiles retail chain, is aiming for a significant increase in turnover in the current fiscal year in order to play a role in India's electronic segment as well as tap the fastest-growing segment.In the words of chairman and managing director M Balu Chowdary, the company's goal is to generate Rs 1,500 crore in revenue from its 250 locations in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.According to a press release, the Hyderabad-based company intends to invest around Rs 300 crore to open 150 new outlets over the next two years. This will be a significant victory for the Modi government's 'Make in India' initiative.Notably, India is one of the world's largest smartphone markets. According to the India Cellular and Electronics Association, mobile phone exports from India will exceed Rs 90,000 crore, or approximately $11.12 billion, in fiscal year (FY) 2022-23, up from Rs 45,000 crore in FY 22.12-Apr-2023.Balu stated that the goal is to increase the number of outlets to 400 in two years with an investment of around Rs 300 crore. Air India said in a statement on Aug 22 that it plans to sign an intermodal interline agreement with AccesRail, an IATA travel partner, to increase connectivity options for Air India guests across European cities without airports.According to the airline, the agreement will allow customers to travel on a single intermodal ticket to around 100 cities and towns in Austria, Belgium, Germany, and other locations via its European gateways of Amsterdam, Birmingham, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Milan, and Vienna.AccesRail's network of rail and bus operators that are available under its agreement with Air India include Avanti West Coast (UK), Great Western Railways (UK), London North Eastern Railways (UK), National Express (UK), Trenitalia (Italy), ÖBB Austrian Railways (Austria), SNCB Belgian Railways, and Thalys (Netherlands/Belgium).According to the statement, customers will have the same baggage allowance on these rail or bus operator services as they do on Air India flights."One of our key priorities in the ongoing, comprehensive transformation of Air India is the expansion of our global network." This collaboration with AccesRail not only allows us to provide our guests with easy access to an expanded network of destinations across Europe, but it also bridges connectivity gaps between India and Europe," said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer at Air India. BIG-C MOBILES TO INVEST RS.300 CRORE UNDER MAKE IN INDIA INITIATIVE TO OPEN NEW RETAIL OUTLETSAIR INDIA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH IATA TO INCREASE CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERSIN FOCUSIN FOCUS
< Page 7 | Page 9 >