The technology upgradation scheme for the MSME sector will help entrepreneurs to upgrade or replace old equipment, said PV Velayudhan, Director, MSME Development Institute.

The funding is subsidised by the government. Unfortunately, entrepreneurs in MSME sector in Kerala are not taking it seriously, he said in his inaugural address at a one-day programme on productivity improvements in MSME through energy conservation, organised jointly by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Energy Management Centre (EMC) with Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) as knowledge partners at Kochi.

Serious steps are to be taken to cut down the cost of energy spending and the government has come out with various programmes in this regard. To enhance productivity and to increase profit, there are many ways. If expenditure is reduced, that itself will improve productivity of the industry, he said.

Earlier, AM Naryananan, Head, Energy Efficiency, Energy Management Centre, spoke about the ‘Kerala Urja Mission’ for enhanced improvement of energy efficiency in the State.

Biju P Abraham, General Manager, District Industries Centre, spoke on the proposed energy awareness sessions being planned in various districts for the benefit of the MSME sector.

Deepak L Aswani, Co Chair, FICCI Kerala State Council; P Selvan, Director, Petroleum Conservation Research Association; MN Giresh, Additional Director, Resource Conservation and Management, FICCI; Savio Mathew, Head, FICCI Kerala State Council, also spoke.

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