Kerala Honored with ASPA Award for Year of Enterprises Initiative
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Synopsis
Kerala has received an award from the ASPA for its Year of Enterprises initiative, which significantly advanced the MSME sector. Minister P. Rajeeve highlighted the project's success in creating jobs and improving the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem during a presentation at an ASPA conference.
Key Takeaways
- Kerala awarded by ASPA for innovation in public administration.
- Successful implementation of the Year of Enterprises initiative.
- Over 100,000 MSME units targeted in one year.
- Creation of more than 300,000 jobs.
- Focus on sustainable growth and ESG principles.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 1 (NationPress) The American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) has honored Kerala with an award for Innovation in Public Administration due to the effective execution of the Year of Enterprises (YOE) initiative, as stated by P. Rajeeve, the Minister for Industries, Law and Coir.
Suman Billa, who recently served as the Principal Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala, accepted the award on behalf of the state during a ceremony in Washington DC. Currently, he is the Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, based in New Delhi.
The ASPA comprises nearly 10,000 professionals across the United States, focusing on government policy, public administration, and civil society programs.
Launched in 2022-23, the Year of Enterprises initiative was designed to create a supportive environment for the MSME sector, leading to a significant transformation in the state’s industrial and entrepreneurial landscape.
During an online presentation at the annual ASPA conference titled ‘Developing Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Policy and Successful Implementation: A Case Study of Year of Enterprises,’ the Minister expressed his regrets for not being able to attend in person due to technical issues. He thanked ASPA for the opportunity to share Kerala's innovative successes, especially the remarkable achievements of the YOE initiative.
The project has greatly surpassed its initial goal of establishing over 100,000 MSME units in a year and generating more than 300,000 jobs.
Rajeeve stated, “Kerala has developed a model for sustainable growth by implementing effective strategies and fostering collaboration across the MSME ecosystem, government entities, R&D and academic institutions, trade unions, and financial organizations.”
“Our economic vision is anchored in the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Excellence. We aim to evolve our state into a trillion-dollar economy with a focus on nature, people, and industry, ensuring quality infrastructure and enhancing living standards,” he added.
In 2019, Kerala was positioned 28th in the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) index. Legislative and administrative reforms since 2016 have bolstered confidence among industries and the public, leading to Kerala being ranked first in EODB in India, as noted by Rajeeve.
These initiatives have resulted in the formation of over 350,000 MSMEs from 2022 to 2025.
Data from the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) indicates a substantial increase in loans to MSMEs since the introduction of YOE.
