"Kerala Set to Unveil Its Inaugural Unity Mall, Announces Industries Minister Rajeeve"

P. Rajeeve, Industries Minister of Kerala, reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to safeguarding Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the state. He announced that Kerala's inaugural Unity Mall, aimed at promoting regional products, particularly those adorned with Geographical Indication (GI) tags, is set to make its debut at Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram.

The proposal for the Unity Mall (also known as Ekta Mall) has received the green light from the state's Cabinet, and it is scheduled to be presented at the World Food India 2023 expo in New Delhi, hosted by the Union Ministry.

In addition to the Unity Mall, another significant development is on the horizon. A permanent international convention center, established by the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) for MSME trade fairs, will be inaugurated by the end of December.

The Unity Mall is envisioned as a platform where all states can showcase their products. It will offer MSMEs and those participating in the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme in Kerala an opportunity to display and sell their wares. The Unity Mall aligns with the Union Budget's proposal for such malls in all states, with a focus on promoting and selling each state's unique ODOP, GI, and other handicraft products.

A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary (Industries), emphasized that the Unity Mall and the global convention center will provide a much-needed platform for MSMEs to flourish and advance with their products. He also highlighted the establishment of a strong connection between industries and educational institutions, aimed at creating a pool of skilled human resources to benefit the MSME sector.

Suman Billa, Principal Secretary (Industries), revealed that approximately ₹8,000 crore in investments had flowed into the state due to the registration of 1,40,000 MSMEs in the previous year, ultimately resulting in the creation of three lakh job opportunities.

These initiatives underscore Kerala's commitment to supporting its MSME sector and fostering economic growth within the state. The Unity Mall is poised to become a hub for promoting and celebrating the unique products and craftsmanship of each Indian state.

HBL