SMEs Sector in State Records 12 Percent Growth: Kunhalikutty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector in the state has witnessed a 12 per cent growth, the highest rate among Indian states, Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty has said.

“Compared to its counterparts, the state faces shortage of land for industrial purposes. We also deny environmental clearance to polluting industries, which would not be the case in other states with high industrial growth,” he said.

The Minister was speaking after launching the logo of the Kerala Business-to-Business Meet 2016 here on Thursday.

He said the state focuses on inclusive growth and the B2B meet would be a boost for the SMEs.

The three-day B2B meet for SMEs will be begin at the CIAL Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre at Nedumbassery in Ernakulam on February 4.

‘Opportunities Face 2 Face for SMEs’ is the slogan of the meet, which aims to create a buyer-seller network that enables one-to-one interaction.

The meet organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce will focus on seven key sectors: food processing; handlooms, textiles and garments; rubber, wood-based industries; Ayurveda; health and cosmetics; engineering, electrical and electronics and handicrafts.

The Industries and Commerce Directorate will select 200 SMEs for the meet and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry will bring in 300 national and 50 international buyers.

Industries Principal Secretary P H Kurian, KSIDC managing director M Beena, Kerala Bureau for Industrial Promotion CEO V Rajagopal, FICCI co-chairman Deepak L Aswani, Handlooms and Textiles director Sam C Ittycheria and Industries additional director K Sudhir attended the function. 

K-BIP is the nodal agency of the meet and its associate partners are the Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles, the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation and the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation.

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