Kerala to Launch its First Unity Mall Soon: Industries Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Stressing the government’s commitment to protect Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the state, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir P. Rajeeve today announced that Kerala’s first Unity Mall for promoting regional products, especially those with Geographical Indication (GI) tag, will come up at Technopark in the capital city.

Rajeeve said the Cabinet has given approval for the proposed mall and it will be presented before the Union Ministry on November 3 at the World Food India 2023 expo in New Delhi.

Apart from the Unity Mall (Ekta Mall), a permanent international convention centre set up by Kinfra for MSME trade fair will be inaugurated by December-end.

The minister divulged this while inaugurating a Business to Business (B2B) meet organised by Department of Industries and Commerce (DI&C) on the sidelines of the trade fair being held as part of the week-long Keraleeyam programme at Putharikandam Maidanam here.

“All states can showcase their products at the Unity Mall. Products of MSME and those under One District One Product (ODOP) scheme from Kerala can be sold at the Unity Mall,” he said.

Proposed in the Union Budget for all states, the Unity Mall aims to promote and sell each state’s own ODOP, GI and other handicraft products.

Elaborating initiatives like the MSME clinic and the MSME Insurance Scheme, he informed that said the government was able to start 1,40,000 MSME in one year, which is a historical achievement.

He noted that the B2B meet at the expo will enable marketing possibilities of products and next year, B2B meet and trade fair will be the major focus at the Keraleeyam event. Around 36 GI products from the state are on display at the expo of DI&C.

Suman Billa, Principal Secretary (Industries), in his welcome address, said about Rs 8,000 crore investment has come to the state through the registration of 1,40,000 MSME last year, resulting in creation of three lakh job opportunities.

“It is imperative to provide marketing handholding to MSME and we have to create opportunities for B2B meets across the state,” he said, adding: “DI&C is working on an ambitious programme in concert with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to facilitate MSME to reach out and tap faraway markets.”

Billa said DI&C has 400 stalls across eight venues at Keraleeyam and it has 140 stalls put up at Putharikandam Maidanam. Around 100 potential buyers from across India have turned up to buy Kerala products.

In his keynote address, A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary, (Industries), said with the launch of Unity Mall and global convention centre, MSME can come up and make progress with their products. “The link between industries and campus was established with the aim of creating human resources pool for the benefit of MSME sector.” He added.

S Harikishore, MD, KSIDC and Director (DI&C), proposed vote of thanks.

Board for Public Sector Transformation Executive Chairman Ajith Kumar K; Kinfra Managing Director Santhosh Koshy Thomas; CII Kerala Past Chairman M R Narayanan; and KSSIA State Vice President Fasiludeen were also present.

The trade fair showcases premium quality products that are exported to global markets from the state. Kerala’s major achievements in the industries sector from 1961 to 2022 have been displayed at the entrance of the expo hall.

Through the B2B meet, the government aims to launch a platform for the MSMEs for building networking and business opportunities, sharing knowledge, improving access to resources and technology, besides assisting them in market expansion.