Manufacturers in Kerala should come out with more value-added products if they want to compete in the global market, Minister for Public Works VK Ebrahim Kunju has said.

Inaugurating the three-day Kerala Business-to-Business Meet 2016 at the CIAL Trade Fair & Exhibition Centre in Nedumbassery, the Minister said that SME’s play a very crucial role in the overall economic development of the State. The meet will provide the SMEs in Kerala greater exposure to businesses outside Kerala and even India, he said.

Unveiling the Buyer and Seller Directories on the occasion, the State Fisheries and Excise Minister K Babu said Kerala has witnessed around 12 per cent industrial growth in the past four years, which is a higher rate than other States.

The government has been focussing on five key areas – manpower, raw materials, capital, favourable political climate and marketing – for the promotion of industrial growth in the State, he added.

PH Kurian, Principal Secretary, Industries & IT, said the 2016 B2B meet, like in the past years, is an effort on the part of the government to scale up the SME sector in Kerala.

Pointing out that trade between countries is the best thing happening in the world, he said SMEs should upgrade the quality of the products each time they venture into a larger marketplace.

As many as 200 SMEs from Kerala and nearly 480 buyers from 21 countries and 18 States are participating in the meet, which is organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce and will conclude on February 6.

SMEs from seven sectors – food processing industry, handlooms, textiles & garments, rubber, wood-based industries, Ayurveda, herbal & cosmetics, engineering with electrical & electronics – are participating in the meet.

Source: Business Line