The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is launching a regional initiative aimed at promoting women and Dalit entrepreneurs in the State and other southern States and helping them scale up their operations.
Chairperson, CII (Southern Region), Rajshree Pathy said here on Friday that mentoring of women professionals would be a special focus area of the CII in Kerala. The Indian Women Network, an initiative of the CII, would provide a platform for women entrepreneurs from the State to learn and share skills and tap emerging opportunities.
The CII was also working closely with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) on a programme to promote Dalit vendors and entrepreneurs and help them develop business leadership.
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Ms. Rajshree, accompanied by a delegation comprising CII deputy chairman Ramesh Datla; chairman, Kerala council, Hari Krishnan Nair; and regional director Mahesh Natarajn, held discussions with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and senior officials on the regional development initiatives of the industry body.
Later interacting with the media, the CII leaders said the discussions had centred on the Smart South initiative for development of skills, manufacturing, agriculture, renewables and technology sectors. They said the series of regular interactions with the State government under the GCCF (Government of Kerala- CII Consultative Forum) had helped address the core issues for industry in the State.
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They said that the CII had taken up a project to bring out a paper comparing Kerala’s productivity indices with that of other States. The regional initiative also included programmes on mentoring women entrepreneurs, and skill development and increasing employability of youth. Branded agricultural products would be promoted under the Safe to Eat, Make in Kerala tag. The CII had tied up with the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) and the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE) for skill development programmes.
Outlining the CII roadmap for the State, Mr. Nair said Ayurveda, health tourism, food processing, and marine food products constituted the key sectors for Kerala’s economic growth.
Answering questions, Ms. Rajshree said the Vizhinjam international seaport had the potential to spur the economic development of the State. She said the project would help Kerala reduce its dependence on other States and countries for transhipment of goods. It would be a valuable addition to the State’s infrastructure, she added.
Farm products to be promoted under Safe to Eat, Make in Kerala tag
Ayurveda, health tourism, food processing among key sectors
Farm products to be promoted under Safe to Eat, Make in Kerala tag