MAM
Airbnb appoints Amanpreet Bajaj as GM for India, SEA, HK and Taiwan
NEW DELHI: Airbnb has announced the appointment of Amanpreet Bajaj as general manager for India, southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Bajaj brings a wealth of experience from playing a key role in the growth of Airbnb in India as country manager since 2015. In his expanded role overseeing southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan along with India, Amanpreet will be responsible for driving Airbnb’s strategy and long-term growth in some of Airbnb’s fastest-growing destinations in Asia-Pacific, which have grown on average almost 40 per cent YoY as of 2019.
A business leader and web entrepreneur with a proven track record of building and scaling teams, Amanpreet brings with him years of rich experience in the digital space. Before joining Airbnb, he co-founded Letsbuy.com in 2010, which was acquired by Flipkart.com in 2012.
“After a truly enriching five years at Airbnb, I am thrilled to take on an expanded challenge to ensure the long-term growth of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan — some of the world’s most popular travel destinations,” said Bajaj. “I am looking forward to applying my learnings and experience to further engage and grow our communities of hosts and guests across this region, working hand in hand towards tourism’s much-needed recovery.”
Bajaj assumes this new role as Mike Orgill, the former general manager for southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, returns to his former role as Airbnb’s regional policy director for Asia-Pacific. He will start his new role immediately and continue to report to Kum Hong Siew, Airbnb’s regional director for Asia-Pacific and chief operating officer of Airbnb China.
“We are delighted to have Amanpreet take on an expanded role to lead Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan in addition to managing operations for India,” said Hong Siew. “Amanpreet has been instrumental in driving the growth of India as a key geography for Airbnb, and we are looking forward to partnering with him in this new chapter of his career, helping this region reach new heights.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
