The curtains opened for the 4th edition of the Malayala Manorama Sambadyam Kerala Business Summit on Thursday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kochi. This year’s summit highlights the theme ‘Navigating the New Economy’, exploring how businesses can adapt to a rapidly evolving economic landscape. The programme brought together dignitaries, expert speakers and delegates to discuss topics ranging from electric mobility to investment opportunities, rural enterprise, exports and infrastructure development in Kerala.
Mr Varghese Chandy, Vice President of Marketing at Malayala Manorama, delivered the inaugural address, opening the floor with one of the most pressing concerns of the new age: the advent of technology challenging the functioning of multiple business institutions. Emphasising that this year’s Kerala Business Summit is a forum to treat that challenge as an opportunity, he set an optimistic tone for the discourse and perspectives that are to unfold.
The lighting of the lamp ceremony marked an auspicious beginning to the event, with the lamp being lit by the dignitaries, accompanied by Rajashree S, Editor-in-Charge for Sambadyam.
Keralam: An emerging business hub
The ceremony was followed by an address delivered by the Managing Director of Kalyan Jewellers, T.S. Kalyanaraman. He described Keralam as an emerging business hub and the need to encourage entrepreneurs to start ventures within the state, with help from institutions such as Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA). The basic factors of production: land, labour, electricity and water resources can be availed from the state.
He also stressed the need to encourage more investments and partnerships from outside the state and nation in order to boost the economy.
Answering the question of what makes a business truly successful, Kalyanaraman said that any business with the virtue of honesty is bound to be successful. He highlighted being true to customers and not compromising product quality for quick profits.
He also explored up-and-coming sectors such as digital marketing and online courses in the IT sector and solar equipment and EV charging ports in the green energy sector. He added that the tourism sector is also a good opportunity, shifting from traditional hotels and resorts to wellness centres and products.
He expressed hope that the new Vizhinjam Port promises economic growth in the future, with scope for warehousing, transportation services and increased exports and imports, with an increased focus on indigenous production.
