Minister launches help desk in all local bodies to provide assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs
Minister launches help desk in all local bodies to provide assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs
In a year in which the state government has set a target of assisting the launch of one lakh micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), close to 25,000 new MSMEs have been registered in the state in the current quarter, Industries Minister P. Rajiv said here on Monday.
Inaugurating the MSME Day celebrations, he said that this is the highest number of MSME registrations in a year, exceeding 17,000 achieved in a full year in 2021. Local Self-Government Minister MV Govindan, who launched the help desk to provide support for aspiring entrepreneurs. All the local bodies said that the change in mindset among the local body officials would help in the development of MSMEs.
“Currently, Kerala ranks 12th in the number of MSMEs, with 5.6% of such initiatives. By the next MSME Day, we have to rank even higher. A total of 24,784 MSMEs have registered in this quarter. Around 80,000 workshops So far for interested entrepreneurs has been conducted in all local bodies. Online applications have been received for 7 private industrial parks apart from 14 applications at district level. All of them will be granted license within 30 days. Technology clinics will be all were conducted in the districts,” said Mr. Rajeev.
Mr. Govindan said that the Kerala model has met most of the basic needs of the people. However, unemployment remains a major issue. The survey conducted by the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) and Kudumbashree as part of the ‘Ante Thozhil Ante Abhimanam’ (My Job, My Pride) initiative has found that there are 53.42 lakh educated, unemployed persons. In Kerala, 18 and 59, of which 58.3% are females, 3,578 are transgender persons and 41.5% are males.
“Many departments are coming together as part of a new model to generate employment under the One Lakh MSME Initiative. Earlier, the approach of local bodies was not very favorable towards entrepreneurs. However, now this mindset has changed. A total of 1,170 interns have been deputed in local bodies to support entrepreneurs. We plan to call officials who cause undue delay in processing files. Endless waits to get permission are of the past. Talks are happening. Now, local bodies are approaching entrepreneurs and offering support. Entrepreneurs are not our enemies. Kerala’s economy can be strengthened only by ensuring all support to them.”