A Value Chain Working Group Meeting under the SAIME project was held in hybrid mode on 11 September 2026 at the NEWS administrative office to revisit and strengthen the SAIME Business Plan. The meeting brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss market expansion, direct marketing and branding, supply chain restructuring, institutional frameworks, financial viability, and ecological sustainability. The meeting was enriched by the valuable inputs of Mr. Venkatesh Salagrama, Independent Researcher & Research Director, Integrated Coastal Management (ICM); Dr. Hussain Mohamad Kasim, Former Principal Scientist & Scientist-in-Charge, Chennai Research Centre, ICAR-CMFRI; Dr. Dipankar Saha, Development Consultant (Independent); and Prof. Dr. Ramachandra Bhatta, Former ICAR Emeritus Professor (Economics). The discussions emphasized the need for rigorous economic assessment and a cautious, phased approach to market expansion, including piloting direct retail sales before wider distribution. Expert recommendations will be incorporated into the revised SAIME Business Plan to support a financially viable, environmentally sustainable, and farmer-centred value chain.