The Hindu Business Line : Commonwealth meet on small business from tomorrow

Kochi March 23 The sixth Commonwealth Indian Small Business Development Programme, jointly organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat, Coir Board and the Exim Bank, will be held in Kochi, Kalady and Alappuzha from March 25 to 30.

As many as 70 members representing 34 Commonwealth countries are participating in the programme, with the theme as `SMEs - An Engine for Poverty Alleviation, Employment Generation and Export Development'. The programme will also focus on issues of sustainable pro-poor growth in the agro and rural sectors.

JOINT EFFORT

The programme is in line with the work of the Commonwealth and the Coir Board on sustainable development of resources, Mr A.C. Jose, Chairman of the Coir Board, and Mr Ram Venuprasad, Advisor (Enterprise Development), Commonwealth Secretariat, said at a joint press meet.

Kerala's socio-economic development will be a key feature at this programme, which will address empowerment of women and socio-economically marginalised classes through job creation by small businesses. The coir and agro-processing sectors and rural activities will also be highlighted, they said.

According to Mr Venuprasad, the Commonwealth family of 53 member-States embraces great diversity and provides a unique forum for discussion among all its members, with equal rights and opportunities. The Commonwealth has achieved a considerable amount of success through inclusive and consensus-based approach, he said.

Mr Jose said that the Coir Board focuses on developing India's coir sector by supporting their export and product development activities. Through this programme, the Board hopes to assist Commonwealth countries through technology transfer and promoting coir business in India with other Commonwealth countries.

The inaugural session will be held on Sunday at Taj Malabar, which will be chaired by Mr Mahabir Prasad, Union Minister for SSI and Agro and Rural Industry. The chief guest at the function will be the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan.