Kerala emerging as global hub for various sectors: Governor

Kochi, Sep 27 (UNI) Kerala Governor R L Bhatia today said the state was steadily emerging as a global hub for different sectors and a competitive manufacturing centre.

Inaugurating the three-day Trade Technology Business Show (TTBS) here, Mr Bhatia said ''the show will be a perfect platform for the medium and small scale industries to know about foreign state-of-the-art technology in the manufacturing sector.'' He said though the small and medium industries produced goods and services worth Rs 17,000 crore, the sector did not have any access to modern technology.

Delivering his presidential address, State Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem said business deals worth Rs 50 crore were expected in the three-day event compared to Rs eight crore and Rs 25 crore in earlier shows in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Mr Kareem said the small and traditional industries had a pivotal role to play in the manufacturing sector of the state and they would be modernised and given a new value in the emerging new economy.

Around 300 international and domestic buyers and exhibitors were expected to participate in the event organised by Department of Industries, Government of Kerala in association with the Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion (K-BIP), Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Limited (KSIDC) and Kerala Industrial Infrastructre Development Corporation (KINFRA).

UNI