Business
Google backs Reliance’s Jio Platforms with $4.5 billion India investment

NEW DELHI/OAKLAND (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s Google will invest $4.5 billion in Reliance Industries’ digital unit, the Indian group said on Wednesday as it laid out an ambitious roadmap for its businesses ranging from entertainment to retail.
Google will get a 7.7% stake in Jio Platforms – the unit which houses Reliance’s music, movie apps and telecoms venture – Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani told the group’s annual shareholder meeting, keeping up the tradition of making big announcements at the event.
Reliance, India’s most highly-valued company controlled by billionaire Ambani, has now sold nearly 33% of Jio Platforms raising 1.52 trillion rupees ($20.22 billion) since late April with Facebook buying a 9.99% stake for $5.7 billion.
Google will gain a seat on Jio Platforms’ board alongside Facebook following the transaction.
The latest investment announced on Wednesday comes just days after Alphabet Inc said it would invest $10 billion in India via a so-called digitisation fund over the next five to seven years through equity deals and tie-ups.
“As we end our current cycle of capital raising, we are delighted to welcome another strategic partner into Jio,” Ambani said.
The deal with Google will bolster Reliance’s tech ambitions, such as building smart homes, using solutions similar to Amazon.com Inc’s Alexa voice assistant, connected cars and security systems.
Partnership impact
Jio aims to design a low-cost “4G or even 5G smartphone” for India, Ambani said, in a move that is likely to get tens of millions of Indians to use mobile internet for the first time.
The company, he said, will collaborate with Google to build an Android-based operating system for this new device.
“We want to ensure smartphones along with apps and services in the Play store are within reach for many more Indians,” Sameer Samat, vice president for Android and Play at Google, told Reuters.
“Given the pace of innovation in India, we felt like now was the right time to dramatically increase our commitment.”
Samat declined to give details on the new device or partners Google and Reliance may enlist to help manufacture it.
Google has previously invested in KaiOS, a mobile operating system maker that powers Reliance’s low-cost JioPhone, a basic phone with limited apps.
Jio Infocomm, the mainstay of Jio Platforms and India’s largest mobile carrier with more than 387 million users, will also widen Google’s reach in a country where just about 500 million of its 1.3 billion population use the internet.
“Through this partnership with Jio Platforms we see the chance to have an even greater impact than either company could have alone,” Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in a video message, adding that the Jio investment was “the first and the biggest” investment Google would make via its $10 billion fund.
Google could potentially also benefit from Ambani’s closeness to the nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which has taken a hard stand on issues such as data localisation and digital taxes, a headache for big tech firms such as Facebook and Google.
New offerings
Reliance, which has also won the backing of Qualcomm Inc and Intel Corp for Jio Platforms, has built an in-house 5G solution and is ready for trials as soon as 5G airwaves are available, Ambani said.
Ambani did not specify what this solution was, but said Jio would be well-positioned to export it once it reaches scale.
He said the group had also received “strong interest from strategic and financial investors” in Reliance Retail, adding: “We will induct global partners and investors in Reliance Retail in the next few quarters.”
He said JioMart, Reliance Retail’s e-commerce venture which was launched in March, will expand beyond grocery deliveries to sell electronics and fashion. It currently offers free express grocery delivery from neighbourhood mom-and-pop stores.
Reliance also showed off its tech prowess on Wednesday by unveiling two new gadgets: an Apple TV-like new, set-top box with improved features over the previous iteration, and JioGlass, a device that connects to internet for video calls and allows for hosting of online classes.
Ambani’s daughter Isha Ambani demonstrated the educational and healthcare uses of JioMeet, a newly launched video conferencing tool that is free and rivals Zoom Video Communications Inc’s app.
Reporting and photo: Reuters
Business
Dubai Chocolate Brownies in Maldives: BBM, Dreidoppel conclude pastry tour

BBM’s exclusive Dreidoppel Demo Tour, led by Master Pâtissier Frankie Robin, concluded successfully on Apr 30th, after a 10-day pastry training series across 15 leading Maldivian resorts that requested the training. Two city bakeries were also trained on the 30th. The initiative brought together global expertise and a strong commitment to raising pastry standards in the local hospitality industry.
This year’s sessions focused on practical pastry solutions using Dreidoppel’s premium ingredient range to create Panettone, Dubai chocolate brownies, Mousses, Crème Brûlée, Fill & Gloss applications, and Caramel Chocolate Snacks.

A standout feature of the tour was the passion shown by young chefs across the islands.
Chef Frankie Robin remarked, “What truly impressed me was how prepared and passionate the young chefs were. Their eagerness to learn, experiment, and take their skills to world-class standards made every session an absolute joy.”

Grounded in real kitchen challenges—speed, flavour, and efficiency—Chef Frankie’s demos showcased how smart ingredient choices can drive both creativity and performance.
A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, added, “At BBM, we believe in more than just supplying ingredients—we are committed to the professional growth of the industry. Collaborations like this empower culinary teams with global techniques and greater confidence.”
The tour reflects BBM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Maldivian foodservice industry through knowledge-sharing and access to world-class products.
Business
BBM brings Vaseline, Hellmann’s, BRU Coffee to Maldives market

Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) extended their strong and decades old partnership with Unilever International, by adding to their brand portfolio – Vaseline, Hellmann’s, and BRU Coffee for the Maldivian market.
The collaboration was announced at a Business gathering held at the Manhattan Business Hotel, attended by over 300 trade partners from across Maldives.

With this partnership, BBM strengthens its retail offerings across the Maldives archipelago. Vaseline, a trusted name in skincare, and Hellmann’s, known globally for quality food products, will now be available through BBM’s distribution network.
“Vaseline is a name that generations trust for skin care. And Hellmann’s is a global icon in flavours. We’re proud to bring both to shelves across the Maldives and enrich everyday living for our customers,” said Muksith Hussain, Business Head – Retail.
In the hospitality sector, BBM introduces Bru Coffee as an addition to its HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) offerings. BRU Coffee provides a quality beverage option for hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the Maldives.

“BRU is one of the most loved coffee brands in the region. With this launch, we’re giving our hospitality partners a versatile product that delivers on both taste and reliability that can be consumed as a beverage and for the purpose of dessert preparation, something they can serve with confidence,” said Hisham Girsy, Business Head – HORECA.
The gathering served as a platform for BBM to engage with its valued trade partners and introduce these new brands to the market.
A.V.S Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, remarked: “BBM is built on relationships. This event reflects our commitment to not just introduce great products but to support, connect, and elevate our trade partners. We’re in this together, and the journey ahead is promising.”

As BBM continues to grow its portfolio and global partnerships, the focus remains clear delivering excellence, building trust, and shaping the future of trade in the Maldives.
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) is a leading distribution company in the Maldives, connecting international brands with local businesses across retail and hospitality sectors. With a customer-focused approach and extensive distribution network, BBM continues to be a trusted partner in the Maldivian market.
Business
Redefining corporate retreats at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

MICE travel is undergoing a sea change—quite literally. No longer limited to traditional conference rooms and structured schedules, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) are now about creating moments that inspire, rejuvenate, and bring teams closer together. At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, the boundaries between business and leisure blur, offering a setting that transforms work into a pleasure.

Just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is the ideal destination for teams looking to escape the expected. Here, brainstorming sessions take place on powder-soft beaches, where the rhythmic waves set the pace for new ideas. Mornings might begin with yoga by the ocean, followed by strategy meetings in open-air pavilions. Afternoons invite collaborative workshops under swaying palms or team-building activities that include snorkelling, paddleboarding, or even a friendly beach volleyball match.

Dining at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives elevates every corporate event with fresh, sea-to-table cuisine, designed to fuel both body and mind. From curated group dinners under star-streaked skies to themed private banquets, every meal becomes an experience in itself. For those looking to celebrate milestones or reward top performers, the resort’s scenic locations offer the perfect backdrop for gala evenings or intimate cocktail gatherings.

Accommodation blends comfort with elegance, offering ocean-view suites and beachside retreats that allow participants to rest, recharge, and return with a fresh perspective. Despite the remote charm, connectivity is never an issue—seamless Wi-Fi and business-friendly amenities ensure that productivity doesn’t pause, even in paradise.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives turns corporate travel into something memorable. Whether it’s a leadership retreat, a high-level conference, or an incentive escape, the resort offers a canvas for events that leave lasting impressions. Here, business goals are pursued in harmony with nature, creativity flows effortlessly, and the line between work and well-being fades.
Let your next MICE experience be more than a meeting—make it a journey worth sharing.
-
News1 week ago
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort launches artist in residence programme with Cambodia-based artist FONKi
-
News1 week ago
The Cocoon Collection launches Cocoon Circle: New loyalty programme offering exclusive rewards in Maldives
-
News1 week ago
Eid by sea: Escape to The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives this June
-
Awards1 week ago
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives recognised among top 10% worldwide in Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025
-
Action1 week ago
Sirru Fen Fushi to host ‘One Ocean, One Breath’ with Freedive Maldives to mark World Oceans Day
-
Business1 week ago
Dubai Chocolate Brownies in Maldives: BBM, Dreidoppel conclude pastry tour
-
Action1 week ago
Ifuru Island Maldives takes part in Burunu Boma sport fishing tournament
-
Awards1 week ago
Brennia Kottefaru named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner for 2025