Latest news with #Rajeeve
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Kerala sees 100% FDI growth: Minister
Thiruvananthapuram: Industry minister P Rajeeve said the state's new industrial policy has significantly transformed Kerala's entrepreneurial landscape and boosted job opportunities, enabling more youth to find employment within the state. Inaugurating the International MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) Day celebrations, organized by the department of industries & commerce and the World Bank-aided Kera project, Rajeeve noted that Kerala is witnessing a rise in reverse migration amid global geopolitical tensions. He affirmed the govt's commitment to building an industry-friendly ecosystem that supports both employment and economic growth. The event's focal theme, ARYSE-Kerala (Awareness and Response for Young and Student Entrepreneurs), reflects the state's efforts to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. "We are focusing on knowledge-based industries by leveraging Kerala's highly skilled workforce," Rajeeve said. Initiatives such as K-Store and K-Shoppe have enhanced sales for homegrown MSMEs and nano units. Under the Made in Kerala brand, products like coconut oil—branded as Nanma—have gained customer traction, with 10 more products to follow. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Honda SP160: Now with More Power and Style Honda Learn More Undo Other key interventions include subsidies and margin money for nano units, campus industrial parks for youth entrepreneurship, private industrial estate schemes, and extended support for marketing, taxation, and MSME sustainability. Rajeeve said the Invest Kerala Global Summit (IKGS), held earlier in Kochi, attracted Rs 1.96 lakh crore in investments. Kerala also recorded 100% growth in foreign direct investment (FDI), making it the top achiever in ease of doing business, as per a recent Union govt report. He said coordinated efforts by the govt and industries department have significantly reduced the failure rate of new MSMEs. Based on studies by IIM Indore and the Centre for Management Development, the govt will soon launch Mission 10000, aiming to scale up 10,000 nano enterprises to generate a combined turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore. An MoU between the directorate of industries and commerce and the Kera project was signed at the event.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Skill-entrepreneurship university in pipeline in Kerala
KOCHI: For a state with a huge talent pool, skills gap often plays spoilsport in Kerala students getting placed in top companies. That, however, could become a thing of the past as the state government is planning to set up a Skill and Entrepreneurship University. Chances are the university will become a reality this financial year. 'We are studying the models being followed by various skill universities in the country,' Industries Minister P Rajeeve told TNIE. 'In the case of the Skill University in Telangana, the institution comes under the industries department. We are yet to make a decision in this regard.' He said the university is being planned in the Public Private Participation (PPP) model. 'It may have a governing board comprising leading industrialists and technocrats. They are the ones who know what the industries need,' the minister said. As to who will lead the governing body, and where the university will come up, the decision is yet to be arrived at. In Telangana, the institution is headed by the chief minister, he pointed out. 'We are studying the skill universities in Gujarat, Maharashtra and some other states,' Rajeeve said. According to the university concept, companies will formulate course modules. 'Each industry needs skills of its own. So, it is apt that the courses be developed by them as per their requirement. Once the students get trained in these skills, provisions will also be there for them to be placed with these companies,' the minister said. And it is just not skills the institution will develop. 'Entrepreneurship will also be promoted at the university. Once students have the requisite skills, they can easily start a venture of their own and provide employment to others,' Rajeeve said. Welcoming the development, Group of Technology Companies (GTech) secretary Sreekumar V said, 'This is the need of the hour. It is something that we have been demanding for a long time. We want students to acquire hands-on training. Many agencies are conducting courses. However, those are just classroom training. That's not what the industries want. They want proof of work. Something which shows them that their prospective employee has learnt the skill and has it too.'
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Rajeeve launches Layam Housing project in Idukki
The Industries department on Monday launched the Layam Housing project in Idukki aimed at renovating and constructing layams (cluster houses) in the plantation sector. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said under the housing project, the government would provide ₹50,000 for renovating existing layams and ₹2 lakh for constructing new ones. The government had allotted ₹10 crore in the last two Budgets for the project. The Minister said the establishment of the plantation directorate had brought in changes in the plantation sector in the State. After setting up the directorate, the government had directed the Indian Institute of Management- Kozhikode to study issues in the plantation sector. 'The IIMK had submitted a report to the government and after its approval, the recommendations will be implemented in the plantation sector,' Mr. Rajeeve said. Officials said 83 layams had been selected for renovation under the project in Idukki and works on 10 units at AVT Karadikkuzhi Estate, near Peerumade, had been completed. Mr. Rajeeve inaugurated the housing project at Karadikkuzhi on Monday.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MSMEs can now pay professional tax via KSWIFT
Thiruvananthapuram: Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state can now register for professional tax through the single-window online platform KSWIFT, launched by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC). This new feature eliminates the need for multiple physical visits and simplifies the process, said industries minister P Rajeev. By uploading the required licences and certificates, businesses can now apply for and manage professional tax registration entirely online. This move allows entrepreneurs to focus on running their businesses while avoiding cumbersome paperwork and personal appearances before local authorities. Professional tax is levied by local bodies—municipalities, corporations, and panchayats—on employees, professionals and businesses, and is a mandatory compliance requirement for MSMEs. The Kerala Single Window Interface for Fast and Transparent Clearance (KSWIFT) was developed as part of the state's broader effort to enhance ease of doing business. KSWIFT offers a streamlined interface where entrepreneurs can apply for all necessary approvals from various govt departments in one place. This reduces procedural delays and significantly speeds up the approval process for business operations. Kerala witnessed a surge in MSME registrations following the launch of the 'Year of Enterprises' initiative in 2023. So far, around 3.5 lakh new ventures have been registered in the state. The minister attributed this growth to proactive ease of doing business measures and procedural reforms introduced by the government. "Of the new entrepreneurs, 31% are women-led, and 4% each belong to SC and ST communities. More than 50% come from OBC categories, and even the transgender community has benefited from the scheme," Rajeeve said. He added that enabling professional tax payments via the KSWIFT portal will further support and accelerate this inclusive growth. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Thiruvananthapuram gets mini industrial park
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state capital has secured a KINFRA Mini Industrial Park at Thonnakkal. The park is expected to draw investments of Rs 50 crore and generate around 350 jobs. The newly inaugurated park has been established on land originally acquired in 2011 for the Global Ayurveda Park. Left idle for over a decade, the land was reclassified for industrial use in 2023 and re-purposed to meet the city's growing entrepreneurial demand. The fully allotted 7.48-acre park will house units in sectors such as food processing, paper products, furniture, hardware, defence, and aerospace. Development, which began in December 2023 with an outlay of Rs 6 crore, was completed ahead of schedule. Speaking at the inauguration of the park on Wednesday, Minister for Industries P Rajeeve emphasised the importance of ensuring basic infrastructure particularly road access while acquiring land for industrial parks. 'Infrastructure like road connectivity is critical when planning industrial parks. Locations should be vehicle-accessible and ready for varied industrial needs,' the minister said. Rajeeve highlighted the swift uptake of units once basic facilities were put in place, noting that all plots were quickly allotted to entrepreneurs. 'There's no developed land left unallocated in Kerala's industrial parks. Where delays exist, mostly due to legal issues, they are being addressed through adalats,' he said. He added that state's industrial landscape is more business-friendly than ever. '17 projects from the Invest Kerala Global Investor Meet will begin construction in May. A team is evaluating each proposal for fast-tracked implementation, which will translate into more enterprises and jobs for state's youth,' added the minister. The minister expressed confidence that the 18 entrepreneurs who are allotted land at the Thonnakkal park would soon begin construction of their units. The event was chaired by MLA V Sashi, and attended by officials including Industries Department Director P Vishnuraj and various local representatives. Rajeeve handed over allotment letters to all 18 entrepreneurs.
