Kerala govt sets ambitious target to create 6 million new SMEs this year

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16 (KNN) The Kerala government is aiming to create nearly 6 million new SMEs and 1 lakh entrepreneurs this year to produce more products of Kerala flavour, said K N. Balagopal, Finance minister on Tuesday.

Addressing the inaugural function of the Kerala Pavilion at the 41st India International Trade Fair in New Delhi, Balagopal said, “Kerala has unique selling products based on tourism, sports and local artisans and the state is focused on marketing them nationally. We are trying to create more and more entrepreneurs. We are advocating such trade fairs to support them.”

The minister urged the Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anupriya Patel to organise more trade fairs in different parts of the country to provide a platform to SMEs for showcasing their products and services and market them nationally. The Kerala FM pointed out that more than the production, marketing is what is posing a big challenge for SMEs.

“It is easy to produce something. Marketing is a difficult job. So, we need more fairs to market our locally-made things. We are requesting the Union Minister to set up such trade fairs in different parts of the country,” said Balagopal.

Kerala along with Uttar Pradesh is the Focus State at the fortnight long India International Trade Fair (IITF) which got underway in Pragati Maidan New Delhi.  (KNN Bureau)