The State government wanted Kerala to top in entrepreneurship, Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said on Friday.
He was inaugurating the Young Entrepreneurs Summit (YES), a novel initiative to nurture entrepreneurship among youth, being organised by the State Industries Department in association with the Kerala State Industries Development Corporation (KSIDC) at Angamaly.
The government would like to give maximum opportunity to young entrepreneurs. The attitude of the youngsters towards entrepreneurship was promising, Mr. Kunhalikutty said, addressing a gathering of a few thousands, the majority being students from various professional colleges. The young entrepreneurs should turn from job-seekers to job-creators. After having conducted Global Investors Meet and Emerging Kerala, Kerala is banking on young minds with innovative ideas so as to create a new development model, he said.
In her address, Aruna Sundararajan, Additional Chief Secretary and Managing Director, KSIDC, said the meet would act as a springboard to achieve the dream of youth to build successful enterprises. She offered to extend full support to the youth in the endeavour.
Kerala is now undergoing a change, she said, referring to the entrepreneurial spirit pervading the youth. She hoped that the summit would send a clear message to the outside world that Kerala is a preferred destination to set up start-ups.
Excise Minister K. Babu said September 12 was being celebrated as Entrepreneurs Day to inculcate a spirit of entrepreneurship. Keralites who had done excellent work in Gulf countries would certainly be able to excel in setting up enterprises in home State, he added.
Public Works Minister Ebrahim Kunju said future of Kerala depended on the enthusiasm of youngsters in beginning new ventures.
P.H. Kurian, Principal Secretary, Industries and Information Technology; Jose Thettayil, MLA., and Pranav Kumar Suresh, Chief Executive, Start-up Village, spoke.
An exhibition of novel ventures and products launched by young entrepreneurs in recent times was part of the meet.
