Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 3 (KNN) The Economic Review for 2016 tabled in the Kerala Assembly suggests that for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, the government role has to be changed to that of a facilitator rather than a provider.

It said the government should intensify its interventions in creating adequate infrastructure and an appropriate climate should be provided to attract private investment.

 He said there is a need for a system for diversification and modernization for the revival and strengthening of the sector.

The Economic Review for 2016, tabled in the Assembly on Thursday, says that delays in obtaining clearances for manufacturing investments, environmental issues associated with large projects, and a paucity of entrepreneurship have adversely affected the growth of such industries in the State.

The Review highlighted that the man-days lost due to labour strikes in the State in 2016 is 34,000 against the 2.68 lakh in 2013.

But the man-days lost due to lockout shows an increasing trend. From 68.33 thousand in 2014, it went up to 3.15 lakh up to October 2016. This was in spite of the fact that for the last 10 years the number of working factories in the State has shown a steady increase, it said.