Kerala’s ‘Year of Enterprises’ drive that aims to start one lakh Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is well on target with tremendous achievements within the first quarter itself, State Industries Minister P. Rajeev has said. The State has announced financial year 2022-23 as the Year of Enterprises. In the first four months, work on more than 45,000 MSMEs have started, with an investment of ₹2687.91 crore. They are expected to create nearly a lakh jobs, the Minister said.
In an exclusive conversation with The Hindu in the national capital, the Minister said Kerala was building on the international reputation it gained with its uniquely successful management of the Covid pandemic to turn the State into an attractive investment destination. Investors and companies conscious of ESG — Environmental, Social, and Governance — factors, a global trend now, will find Kerala extremely attractive, according to the Minister.
“Environmental and social consciousness is very high in the State. We are developing an industry-friendly environment that the world finds attractive and is suitable for the particularities of the State,” the Minister said. “From handicrafts to pharmaceuticals and from food to textiles, we are in the process of building a Kerala brand,” Mr. Rajeev said.
