The Hindu Business Line : Kochi trade show to focus on 7 sectors

Thiruvananthapuram June 20 Seven sectors of the Kerala industry will be showcased at a Trade and Technology Business Show (TTBS) being organised by the Industries Department at Kochi during September 27-29.

The sectors are: food and agro processing; ayurveda and herbal products; coir; handlooms; handicrafts; bamboo and screw pine; and rubber and rubber products.

The show is being organised in association with the Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion (K-BIP), Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra).

The Industries Minister, Mr Elamaram Kareem, said on Wednesday that one of the objectives of TTBS was to introduce new technologies to the SMEs to enable them to raise their competitiveness.

Currently, they find it difficult to access foreign technology and use modern machinery and equipment, he added.

The show will bring together buyers from across the country and from abroad, who will be able to interact directly with the SMEs in the State.

Currently, Kerala produces goods and services worth Rs 17,000 crore annually in the small and medium sectors alone.

The show will have an exhibitor section in which over 70 exhibitors from the country and abroad will get an opportunity to showcase their machinery and equipment in the chosen seven sectors.

More than 150 national buyers and 50 international buyers are expected to take part in the event, the Minister said.

In the food and agro processing section, the spotlight will be on spices and products; organic and health products; dairy and confectionary products; agricultural products; food processing and packing equipment; and poultry farm equipment and supplies.

The ayurveda and herbal products section will include herbal oils, cosmetics, spa centres, siddha and naturopathy.

The handloom section will showcase furnishing materials, fashion wear, traditional and designer saris and dhotis.

The rubber and rubber products section will focus on tyres, tubes, gloves, foam rubber products, conveyor belts, automobile parts and condoms.