SME tech platform goes biennial

Following the success of the recently concluded three-day trade and technology show (TTBS) at Kochi, the Kerala government plans to organise the show every two years to boost the small and medium industries sector.

The show saw Thailand Dhonpuri University offering a unique business incubation service for SME units and technology transfer for upgradation of SMEs in Kerala to international standards.

Also, the Katestart University of Thailand has offered technology for R&D of virgin coconut oil, fruit vinegars, etc.

Endorsing the positive initiative, T Balakrishnan, principal secretary, state department of industries, pointed out that the offers from the Thai universities would boost efforts of certain domestic bodies in imparting technology upgrade initiatives for the SME sector.

Elamaram Kareem, state industries minister, said the TTBS saw business enquiries worth Rs 91 crore.

"We received enquiries upwards of Rs 41 crore. This is in addition to the firm enquiry to the tune of Rs 50 crore received for coir pith alone from the Dubai-based Shalimar Group," he said.