The Directorate of Industries and Commerce is organising a Conference on Ease of doing Business – Measures to Improve Kerala’s Ranking in association with Centre for Public Policy Research. The event is organized in partnership with Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and CII Kerala on January 23, 2016 (Saturday) at Hotel Le Meridien, Kochi.
The Government has initiated various activities to improve Ease of Doing Business (EODB) by providing a clear path for economic freedom-based deregulation. In this vein, there are various steps that have been taken by the Department of Industrial Planning and Promotion (DIPP) of the Government of India in coordination with the State governments. Despite Kerala having taken several steps to promote start-ups and young entrepreneurs, in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking among Indian states, Kerala was placed at the 18th position.
The rank, given based on eight specified parameters, included ease of setting up of businesses, allotment of land, labour reforms, procedure for procurement of environmental clearances, infrastructure, procedure for registration for tax purposes and inspection of compliance of various norms.
This conference is being conducted with the objective to bring together Government, Industry members, Interest groups and Academia, from across Kerala to understand the constraints faced by them in setting up an economic climate conducive to business.
To this end, CPPR will identify the priority issues affecting businesses in Kerala and suggest a way forward to make the State more investor friendly.
Over the past year, CPPR has been conducting extensive research on the subject (EODB) with an aim to assist State governments in achieving the goal of creating an improved business ecosystem and favourable climate. CPPR’s initiative on EODB called “Breaking Business Barriers” is supported by British High Commission, New Delhi.
An overview of each of the slated panel discussions will be conducted by the CPPR team on the following topics:
Mr Jiji Thomson, IAS, Chief Secretary will be making the inaugural address;
Dr M Beena, IAS, MD, KSIDC; Mr P M Francis, IAS, Director of Industries and Commerce, among others will be in attendance.