Commonwealth SME meet in Kerala

KOCHI: Recognising the role played by the SMEs in the coir sector in India, the Commonwealth Secretariat representing 53 states, has decided to organize the sixth Commonwealth-India small business development programme in Kerala between March 25 and 30.

The programme, which will be jointly hosted by Coir Board and Exim Bank, will have 70 delegates from 34 Commonwealth countries. Ram Venuprasad, advisor (enterprise development) special advisory services division of Commonwealth Secretariat told reporters here that coir sector was dominated by small sector and so was an ideal choice for the conference.

Coir Board chairman A.C,Jose said since nearly 98 % of the commonwealth countries produce coconut the board could facilitate technology transfer and promote export of coir products. The board has identified Africa, particularly South Africa, as a new destination for the marketing of Indian coir products.

The conference will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Small Scale Industries and Agro & Rural Industry Mahabir Prasad and Chief Minister V.S.Achutanandan. It will be spread over Kochi, Alappuzha and Kalady.