Thiruvananthapuram: Coinciding with World Entrepreneurs’ Day, the State Industries and Commerce Department today awarded the Kerala Brand certification to six coconut oil expeller units, marking the first phase of the pioneering initiative to tap into the growing global market for high-quality goods and services.
Speaking while awarding the Kerala Brand certificate, Minister for Industries, Shri P Rajeev said this initiative will enable goods and services from the state to tap into the growing domestic and global demand for authentic and ethically made products. “This is a pioneering initiative, taken up by the Department of Industries and Commerce on a mission mode, for ensuring the quality and authenticity of diverse products from the state to accelerate their huge market potential.”
The first lot of six coconut oil expeller units were given the Kerala Brand certificate after it was ensured that they met all the parameters set by the Department of Industries & Commerce. They also received the approval of the Taluk-level selection committees concerned.
The first set of units to receive the Kerala Brand status are MRL Kuttanadan Coconut Oil (Alappuzha), Kedison Expellers (Kottayam), Varapetty Coconut Oil (Ernakulam), K M Oil Industries, Sahakari Integrated Coconut Processing Plant (Anjarakandy FSC Band Ltd, Kannur) and Kallatra Oil Mills (Kasaragod). Considering its huge demand as a kitchen staple, coconut oil has been selected for the first phase of branding.
The Kerala Brand, ‘Nanma’, is envisaged to deliver an appealing image of Kerala’s products and services to help them tap the global demand for high quality authentic and ethically made consumer goods bearing the traditional imprint of the state. The branding project aims to create a unique identity for the indigenous products, underscoring Kerala’s commitment to quality and ethical and responsible practices. The products acquiring the Kerala Brand could be sold domestically and internationally with a ‘Made in Kerala’ tag.
Principal Secretary (Industries & Commerce), APM Mohammed Hanish; Director of Industries & Commerce and MD, KSIDC, S Harikishore; Ajith Kumar K, Executive Chairman, Board for Public Sector Transformation; Santhosh Koshy Thomas, MD KINFRA; Suraj S, CEO, KBIP; and Resmi DS, Deputy Director, Coconut Development Board; were among those present.
Kerala Biz News