Kerala looks for cutting-edge tech

The Kerala government is charting out measures to bring state-of-the-art technology to the doorstep of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), realising that these ventures find it difficult to access foreign technology.

The government's initiatives are expected to introduce technologies to small and medium manufacturers and thereby increase their competitiveness, according to Elamaram Kareem, Kerala's minister for industries.

The state's contribution to the SME sector has been significant as the sector boasts of as many as 2.75 lakh industrial units, with investments to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore, employing over 15 lakh people and accounting for 50 per cent of the state's exports. The state produces goods and services worth Rs 17,000 crore annually in the SME sector alone.

As a forerunner to bringing in new technologies to boost the sector, the department of industries, in association with the Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion (K-BIP), the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) would organise a Trade and Technology Business Show (TTBS) in Kochi. The TTBS would be held between September 27 and 29.

Kareem said the event will showcase the industrial agility and knowledge-based skills of Kerala before the domestic and the international trading communities.

Recalling that the previous UDF government had organised a B2B meet during its regime with limited success, he said that TTBS had been conceptualised in view of the past experience.

The event, according to him, will provide an opportunity to small and medium entrepreneurs to stay abreast with the technological advancement in the area. It is also being hoped that small and medium entrepreneurs and industrialists can form a group or consortium to obtain new technology on a cost-sharing basis.

The event will have on show seven sectors such as food and agro-processing, ayurveda and herbal methods of treatment, coir, handlooms, handicrafts, bamboo and screw pine and rubber and rubber products.

These apart, it will also have an exhibitor section with over 70 exhibitors from the rest of India and abroad being provided an opportunity to showcase their machinery and technology in the seven chosen segments. The TTBS is expected to have the participation of over 150 national and 50 international buyers.

While the food and agro-processing products on show would include spices, organic and health products, dairy and confectionery products, farm products, food processing and packing equipment, kitchen equipment and poultry farm equipment, the ayurveda and herbal products will include herbal oils, cosmetics, therapeutic services, spas, siddha and naturopathy.

Besides, coir products, handloom products, handicrafts and bamboo furniture and bamboo interiors will be on show.

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BREAKING NEW GROUND

The state government wants to ensure easier access for SMEs to foreign technology

The state has 2.75 lakh industrial units, with investments of around Rs 4,000 crore

The state produces goods and services worth Rs 17,000 crore annually in the SME sector alone

The department of industries, in association with the Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion, the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation and the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation will organise a trade show in Kochi