CHAMBER VOICE

Dear Members,

MSME and large firms productivity performance in India during and after the covid-19 pandemic had sharply recovered due to policy measures by the government of India and the RBI. While productivity growth was stagnant for manufacturing as whole before the pandemic, MSMEs saw higher growth in labour-intensive industries. Large firms saw marginal growth across industries.

In the year 2024, the automotive industry anticipates the launch of the long-range electrical vehicle MG5, promising an exciting addition to the market. Meanwhile, India’s industrial production showed encouraging signs of growth, with a 3.8% increase in January 2024, as per official data released in March. Factory output surged by 5.8%, contributing significantly to this expansion. These figures reflect positively on India’s index of industrial production, highlighting a steady uptrend in manufacturing activities.

The successful landing experiment of the RLV vehicle ‘Pushpak’ by ISRO marks a significant milestone for India’s space exploration endeavors. This achievement paves the way for future missions.

Amidst the ongoing water crisis in Bengaluru, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is gearing up to launch an installation drive. This initiative aims to target buildings, commercial establishments, industries, luxury hotels, restaurants, and other public areas across the city. As part of water conservation efforts, the Bengaluru water management authority has mandated the use of aerators in taps for bulk consumers in the tech hub.

Coming to our home state Kerala, The State government has declared a capital subsidy of up to ₹7 crore for logistics parks in the State. Draft guidelines on logistics parks, released by Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, have extended other incentives also for setting up logistics parks. The draft paper recommends providing industries status to logistics parks and setting up a single window clearance system for them. The draft paper said that related facilities would be given a boost to encourage the setting up of logistics parks.

Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Tripunithura metro station, symbolizing the completion of phase 1 construction for the Kochi metro. This significant milestone comes after the initial opening of the 25 km stretch with 22 stations back in 2017. With phase 2 construction already underway in certain areas, the metro project continues to advance, promising enhanced connectivity and urban infrastructure for Kochi.

Moving to chamber activities CEO forum meeting for the month of March 2024 held on 15th March 2024 in the Raja Ravi Varma Hall of Hotel Le Meridien, Cochin. Mr. C Balagopal, Founder of Terumo penpol Ltd and former chairman of federal Bank as the keynote speaker. Sharing insights from his book, ‘BELOW THE RADAR: The Untold Story of How Modern Manufacturing Grew by Stealth in Kerala,’ Mr. Balagopal offered valuable perspectives on Kerala’s manufacturing evolution and testament to the region’s entrepreneurial spirit and industrial growth. There were close to 30 participants attended the session.

The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Cochin West and Indian Medical Association (IMA), organized a blood donation camp at the Cochin Port Hospital, Willingdon Island, Cochin, on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024. Shri. B Kasiviswanathan, Chairman of Cochin Port, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, Shri. Venkitraman Anand, President of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce, along with Shri. Prakash Iyer, President of Rotary Club of Cochin West and Regional Manager of Seahorse Group, added their leadership and support to the cause. Dr. K. I. Muthukoya, Chief Medical Officer of Cochin Port Hospital, and Shri. Binu K S, President of Kerala Steamer Agents Association, lent their expertise and guidance to ensure the success of the camp.

Cochin chamber conducted a workshop of Mindful eating for lifestyle nutrition by Dr Manju p George on 27 March 2024. There were close to 30 participants attended the session.

The India Forward Talk hosted by the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held on 05/04/2024 in the Radisson Blu hotel with Smt. Aruna Sundararajan, IAS (Retd.), as the esteemed chief guest discussing India’s Digital Transformation-Opportunities and Challenges. Her invaluable insights have paved a clear roadmap for progress in the digital age. There were close to 130 participants attended the session.

As part of chamber’s CEO forum Meeting, the 9th edition of the Cochin Chamber’s CEO Forum meeting for the month of April 2024 held on 19th of April in the le Meridien hotel Kochi breakfast meeting marked by the esteemed presence of Prof. M S Mathews from IIT Madras (Retd.) as the chief guest. Prof. Mathews delivered a presentation on the topic: “Making Kerala the Computing Hub of the World: A Transformative Mega Project in Kerala.”

Wishing you all the very best and assuring you of the Chamber’s best services at all times.

Anand Venkitraman

Recent Union Cabinet Decisions

Forthcoming Events

Blood Donation Camp : 09th May 2024 : Cochin Port Hospital, Willingdon Island, Ernakulam

A blood Donation Drive will be organized by the Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in partnership with the IMA Blood Bank and other reputable trade organizations in Cochin on 09th May 2024 at Cochin Port Hospital, Willingdon Island, Cochin

CEO Forum Breakfast Meeting : 17th May 2024: Hotel Le Meridien, Cochin

Recent Events

CEO Forum Breakfast Meeting : 16th February 2024: Hotel Le Meridien, Cochin

The eight edition of CEO Forum (networking breakfast) Meeting for the month of February held on Friday, 16th of February 2024 at Hotel Le Meridien (Maradu), Cochin.  The Guest Speaker was  Mr. Nahaz Basheer, Founder & Managing Director of Cremberie Foods Pvt Ltd who spoked about his growth story.

Visit to Auric City, (Maharashtra): 21st to 23rd February 2024

Cochin Chamber Members went for a delegation to the Shendra  & Bidkin Industrial Area (SBIA) , Maharashtra from 21st to 23rd of February 2024. The visit hosted by National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), included meeting with SBIA Officials & DMIC Officials; a factory visit to NLMK India Pvt Ltd and meeting the company officials.

Webinar on “Audit Compliance Essential Aspects of Work Contract Services”

Cochin Chamber associated with DGTP (B’lore) in organising a webinar “on Audit Compliance Essential Aspects of Work Contract Services” on 22nd February 2024.  The Guest Speakers were Shri. M G Kodandaram IRS, Assistant Commissioner (Retd), CBIC; Smt Shriya Gupta IRS, Deputy Commissioner of CGST; Shri. Roopam Kapoor IRS, Principal Chief Commissioner of CGST (B’lore); Shri. Manoj Kumar Arora IRS, Chief Commissioner of CGST & Customs (Trivandrum) and Shri. R.Manohar IRS, ADG, DGTS (B’lore).

CEO Forum Breakfast Meeting : 15th March 2024: Hotel Le Meridien, Cochin

The eight edition of CEO Forum (networking breakfast) Meeting for the month of March held on Friday, 15th of March 2024 at Hotel Le Meridien (Maradu), Cochin.

Shri. C. Balagopal, founder of Terumopenpol and former Chairman of The Federal Bank Ltd was the guest speaker. Shri. Balagopal lectured on the topic from the lines of his recent book titled “Below the Radar – The untold story of how modern manufacturing grew by stealth in Kerala”.

Blood Donation Camp : 20th March 2024 : Cochin Port Hospital, Willingdon Island, Ernakulam

The Cochin Chamber associated with Rotary Club of Cochin (West) and the Cochin Port Hospital organised another Blood Donation Camp on Wednesday, 20th March 2024 in the Cochin Port Hospital, Willingdon Island, Ernakulam. Shri. B. Kasiviswanathan, Chairman of Cochin Port was the Guest Speaker, during his lecture Shri. Kasiviswanathan emphasized the significance and impact of such blood donation camps in saving lives and assisting those in need.
Shri. Venkitraman Anand President of the Cochin Chamber delivered the Welcome Speech, whereas Shri. Prakash Iyer, Executive Committee Member delivered the vote of thanks. Dr K I Muthukoya, Chief Medical Officer of Cochin Port Hospital and Shri. Binu K S President of Kerala Steamer Agents Association were also addressed the audience on this occasion.

Webinar on Notice Issued under – GST

The Directorate General of Taxpayers Services (DGTS) – CBIC, Bangalore Zonal Unit in association with Cochin Chamber organised a webinar on the topic : Notices under GST, this time the session was in vernacular (Malayalam Language) on Thursday, 21st March 2024

Session on Mindful Eating and Life Style Nutrition: 27th March 2024 : Conference Hall, Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Chamber organised a Session on Mindful Eating and Lifestyle Nutrition on Wednesday 27th March 2024 in the Conference Hall of the Chamber.
Dr Manju George, Chief Dietitian of V P S Lakeshore Hospital was the Guest Speaker, while Mr. Manu P V Physiotherapist of V P S Lakeshore also shared insights as a co-speaker. The event had participation of 30 delegates from various organisations.
Chamber President Shri. Venkitraman Anand delivered the Welcome address and Shri. S P Kamath, Vice President of the Chamber extended the Vote of Thanks.

India Forward Talk : 05th April 2024: Radison Blu Hotel, Cochin.

The Chambers India Forward Talk witnessed the gracious presence of Smt. Aruna Sundararajan IAS (Retd.) former Telcom Secretary of India on 05th April 2024 at the Radison Blu Hotel, Cochin. Smt. Sundararajan lectured on India’s Digital Transformation, wherein she had mentioned about the opportunities and challenges ahead as part of the transformation.

CEO Forum Breakfast Meeting : 19th April 2024: Hotel Le Meridien, Cochin

The Inaugural session of the Ninth Edition of the Monthly CEO Forum Breakfast meeting is on Friday, 19th April 2024 from 08:00 am to 09:30 am at Hotel Le Meridien (Maradu), Cochin. The guest speaker for the day was (Retd.) Prof. M S Mathews IIT, Madras and who spoke on the topic “Knowledge Economy – Making Kerala the computing Hib of the World”.

Exclusive EXIM Statistics

Statistical Reports on Exports and Imports through the Cochin Port.

The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry publishes statistical reports on Exports and Imports through the Cochin Port on a monthly basis followed by a Consolidated Annual Report at the end of each calendar year. The reports on exports are classified as commodity wise and pertain to the following commodities:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Spices
  • Cashews
  • Cotton Goods
  • Seafood and
  • Coir and coir products

Details on all other commodities that do not fall under the above-mentioned heads are carried as the ‘Miscellaneous Report’. Customized reports will also be available according to customers requirement.

We have several members in the export/import fraternity subscribing to these reports on a monthly basis and from the feedback received they are immensely benefited by the same.

We are confident that our reports will be of help to your Company in staying one step ahead of your competitors in business. A sample of the report is attached herewith for your reference. Also attached is the ‘Subscription Form’ to enable you to subscribe to the report should you want to do so.

Should you have any queries please feel free to contact Mr. T.M. Padbhanabhan (0484 2668349).