Entrepreneurship Year has Created More than Five Lakh Jobs in Two Years: Minister P Rajeeve

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Minister for Law, Industries and Coir P. Rajeeve today said that the Entrepreneurship Year initiative of the Department of Industries and Commerce (DIC), Government of Kerala, has created more than five lakh job opportunities in the state in two years.

Rajeeve was speaking while inaugurating the award distribution ceremony for the best entrepreneurs, district industries centres and Local Self Government Institutions here.

Congratulating the winners, Rajeeve said the initiative has produced more than 71,000 women entrepreneurs in the state. The Minister said the list of awardees also shows how they hold entrepreneurship so close to their hearts.

Rajeeve said the high human resource capability of Kerala has to be leveraged well by bringing back Malayalees from across the world.

He announced that an international conclave on Robotics will be conducted in Kochi on July 11 and 12 where all major Artificial Intelligence companies will showcase their technologies.

Kerala government is conducting the event in association with Kerala Digital University and Cochin University of Science and Technology.

Principal Secretary (Industries), Suman Billa, who presided over the function, said entrepreneurs deserve recognition for their efforts.

Noting that every entrepreneur contributes to the well-being of society, Shri Billa congratulated the award winners. He also lauded the efforts of LSGD and various departments in supporting the enterprises by providing all kinds of infrastructure.

Billa added that with the growth of MSMEs the state will become truly a resilient economy in the country.

KSIDC Managing Director and Director of Industries & Commerce, S. Harikishore, welcomed the gathering.

Dr Divya S Iyer, Director, LSGD (Rural); Alex Varghese, Director, LSGD (Urban); Anie Jula Thomas, Officer on Special Duty, Industries; Rajeev, Additional Director, Industries; Ajith Kumar K, Executive Chairman, Board for Public Sector Transformation; Santhosh Koshy Thomas, Managing Director, KINFRA; and A Nisarudeen, State President, KSSIA; were also present.

Chavara in Kollam district won the state award for the Best Grama Panchayat 2022-23, while Thrissur was adjudged the Best Corporation 2022-23. The state award for the Best Municipality 2022-23 went to Mannarkad in Palakkad district.

Pamela Anna Mathew, Managing Director, O/E/N India Limited, received the Life Time Achievement Award 2024.

Best Grama Panchayats 2022-23 (district-wise): Parassala (Thiruvananthapuram), Thodiyoor (Kollam), Pallikkal (Pathanamthitta), Pathiyoor (Alappuzha), Thiruvarppu (Kottayam), Adimali (Idukki), Kadungallor (Ernakulam), Vellangallur (Thrissur), Vadakkencherry (Palakkad), Thiruvaly (Malappuram), Perumanna (Kozhikode), Poothadi (Wayanad), Chembilode (Kannur) and Chemmanad (Kasaragod).

Best Municipalities/Corporations 2022-23 (district-wise): Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, Punalur Municipality (Kollam), Chengannoor Municipality (Alappuzha), Vaikkom Municipality (Kottayam), Thodupuzha Municipality (Idukki), Piravom Municipality (Ernakulam), Chavakkad Municipality (Thrissur), Palakkad Municipality, Nilambur Municipality (Malappuram), Kozhikode Municipal Corporation, SulthanBathery Municipality (Wayanad), Anthoor Municipality (Kannur) and Nileswaram Municipality (Kasaragod).

Other state award winners (2021-22): Sujith N (Best Micro Venture: Kalyani Food Products Kollam); Kurian Jose S R (Best Small Venture: Marine Hydro Colloids, Ernakulam); Vasanthakumaran Gopalapillai (Best Medium Venture: Souparnika Exports Enterprises, Kollam); Dr Babu P Maliyekkal (Best Large Enterprise: A K natural Ingredients, Pathanamthitta); Mani M (Best Venture in Scheduled Caste category: Ficore Electronics, Malappuram); Ummu Salma (Best Women Entrepreneurship: Sanjeevani Kudumbashree Unit, Malappuram); Jeemon K Kora (Best Export Venture: Man Canker Ingredients, Ernakulam); and Nitheesh Sundaresan (Best Startup in Product Sector: Varshya Eco Solutions, Thiruvananthapuram).