Manulife Asset Management (Hong Kong) and Kotak Mahindra, the Mumbai-headquartered banking and financial services group, are collaborating to promote fund management and distribution opportunities in Asia, reports India Infoline.

The strategic partnership gives Kotak access to Manulife’s Asian and global investment products, while Manulife’s investment management division, MFC Global Investment Management, will make use of Kotak’s investment knowledge in the area of Indian equities.

Manulife intends to incorporate Kotak-advised products into its open architecture platforms across the region, the news service said.

The partnership reportedly remains subject to the completion of final agreements and the necessary regulatory approvals.