CW-India Small Business Development Prog

Kochi, Mar 23: The sixth Commonwealth-India Small Business Development Programme will be held in Kochi, Alappuzha and Kalady from March 25.

The programme with the theme 'SMEs-- An engine for Poverty Alleviation, Employment Generation and Export Development' aims to develop competitiveness of small business activities for Commonwealth developing countries.

Speaking to newspersons here last night, Coir Board Chairman A C Jose said the six-day programme, jointly organised by Commonwealth Secretariat, Coir Board and the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank), would focus on issues of sustainable pro-poor growth in the agro and rural sectors.

He said the state's socio-economic development through empowerment of women and marginalised classes through creation of jobs in small businesses would be highlighted in the event.

Mr Jose said the Coir Board also hopes to assist the Commonwealth countries through technology transfer and promotion of coir business.

Around 70 members from 34 Commonwealth countries were expected to participate in the programme which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Union Minister of Small Scale Industries and Agro&Rural Industry Mahavir Prasad.

UNI