Divakar Pai Kochikar Elected KCCI President for 2026-27
Mangaluru: Members of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Mangaluru, held the 86th Annual General Meeting at the Chamber’s registered office at 4.30 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026.
The meeting elected Shri Divakar Pai Kochikar as the new President, along with other office-bearers and directors of the Board for the year 2026-27.
The newly elected office-bearers are: Shri Divakar Pai Kochikar — President, Shri Ashwin Pai Maroor — Vice-President, CA Abdur Rahman Musba — Hon. Treasurer, Shri Jeethan Allen Sequeira — Hon. Secretary, Shri Vincent Cutinha — Hon. Secretary.
The newly elected Directors are: Shri Nissar Fakeer Mohammed, Shri Amith Ramachandra Acharya, Shri B. A. Nazeer, Shri Aditya Padmanabha Pai, Ms. M. Athmika Amin, CA Nandagopal Shenoy, Shri Sujir Prasad Nayak, Shri Ajay Prabhu Karkala, Shri Nitte Dasharath Shetty, Shri Vincent Joseph Neeliyara, Shri Balakrishna Janardhana Jeppu, Shri Ranjal Rajnish Nayak.
The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) is the apex body representing the trade and industry community in coastal Karnataka.
Profile of the New President
A graduate in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology, he began his career in banking software with Nucleus Software in Noida and later worked with Infosys on Apple projects before returning to Mangaluru to join his family business.
He is the third-generation Executive Director of Swasti Cashew Industries Private Ltd., established in 1952. The company has a pioneering history in cashew processing and Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) and currently operates warehousing facilities. He is also involved in agriculture, cultivating rubber, arecanut, and pepper.
With a long-standing interest in technology, Shri Pai co-founded Kochikar Technologies LLP. He co-created MyPoojaBooking™, a temple management platform used by lakhs of devotees for online sevas, donations and room bookings, including through self-service kiosks. The firm also develops Sahay Mitra, a scholarship platform that has helped thousands of students access financial support from trusts across the country.
Shri Pai joined the KCCI Board as a Director in 2018 and has served two terms as Honorary Secretary. A Rotarian, he has served as Secretary of the Rotary Club of Mangalore and held responsibilities at Rotary District 3181. He is also a member of the Managing Committee of the century-old Ammembal Subbarao Pai Memorial Fund, Mangaluru.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pai said many of the priorities the Chamber has pursued over the years were now beginning to gain momentum, with both the Union and State governments showing growing commitment to realising the region’s potential. He said he intended to build on this momentum and carry the Chamber’s vision forward in the years ahead.
He noted that the region was entering a critical period of growth over the next five to ten years and said this growth must be pursued sustainably and supported by structured urban planning as Mangaluru positions itself as a global business destination.
He highlighted the strength of Mangaluru’s port and maritime economy, describing it as a natural advantage that could be further developed. He also pointed to significant scope for growth in finance, education, healthcare, IT and tourism, and stressed that equipping the region’s youth with the right skills would be key to converting this potential into opportunities. He added that the Chamber’s trading community, its founding base, would remain central to this vision.
Shri Pai thanked the Chamber’s past presidents and fellow directors, whose continued involvement over the years has remained a source of strength for the institution. He also acknowledged the well-wishers who continue to support the Chamber.
He expressed his appreciation to the media fraternity for consistently giving voice to the Chamber’s work. He looked forward to its continued support as new initiatives take shape in the coming year.