KOCHI:
The sixth edition of Kerala business-to-business meet, Vyapar 2017, will be held at Bolgatty Palace, Kochi, from February 2 to 4, providing a robust and interactive platform to the state to showcase its vibrant Small and Micro Enterprise (SME) sector and chalk out a roadmap for its future growth.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate Vyapar 2017 on February 2 at 10:30 am at Bolgatty Palac
e and Island Resort. Minister for Industries and Commerce A.C. Moideen will preside over the inaugural ceremony.
Delegates from 46 countries, including the US, China, the UK, Japan, Srilanka, UAE are participating in Vyapar 2017, organised by the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Kerala.
“A total of 683 buyers, including 160 from abroad, have registered for their participation in the three-day event, which is aimed at opening new growth frontiers for Kerala’s SME sector,” said P M Francis, Director, Industries and Commerce.
“Around 7,500 business meetings are expected to take place during Vyapar 2017. The B2B meet will be a platform for SMEs to meet industry leaders and find prospective clients, increase the business volume and strengthen the state economy. It will also help them to explore potential markets abroad,” he pointed out.
In the previous edition, there were business enquiries to the tune of Rs 300 crore.
Francis said the event would also strive to promote the state’s excellence in entrepreneurship and skilled manpower among national and international players. To follow up the business meetings, an e-platform will be established by the State Government, he said.
Out of the registered 331 sellers, 200 sellers were scrutinised and finalised by a team, headed by the Industries and Commerce Director, for participation. The highest participation is from food processing sector with 87 registration. Other small-scale industries, including handlooms & textiles, rubber, coir products, Ayurveda & herbal, electrical & electronics as well as traditional industry sectors have registered for the event. The list also includes state-run enterprises.
The B2B meetings will begin at 2.30 pm on February 2 and will last until noon on February 4. Vyapar 2017 will also host a joint discussion forum for participating buyers and sellers after the scheduled meetings.
Vyapar 2017 provides a platform to the buyers for direct interactions and discussions with the participating manufacturers and sellers from Kerala. A team of 39 members from Japan will also be visiting the event.
Only pre-registered buyers from outside Kerala will be allowed to participate in the B2B meetings on February 2 and 3. Opportunity will also be provided to existing and prospective entrepreneurs from Kerala to visit Vyapar 2017 on the final day i.e. February 4, till afternoon, thro
ugh spot registrations (before 11.00 AM) at the venue.
Rapol Saniplast Pvt Ltd, Chalakkudy, has won the best seller award for the participation at the B2B meet in the last edition.
V.Rajagopal CEO, K-BIP (Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion) and Savio Mathew, Head, FICCI Kerala State Council, also attended the press conference.
