Govt committed to supporting small-scale industries operating at household level: Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty

KOCHI: The government is committed to supporting small-scale industries operating at the household level," stated Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty while inaugurating the India International Industrial Expo 2026. During the ceremony, he also announced a significant decision to move nano-household industries out of the industrial tariff category and include them under the domestic tariff bracket. The premier industrial gathering, aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration, was organised by the Kerala State Small Industries Association (KSSIA) and Metro Mart, at the Adlux International Convention Centre, Angamaly, with the cooperation of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala, and the Ministry of MSME, Government of India.

"The State Government has been able to create an industry-friendly environment by ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to the industrial sector. It is no small achievement that there has been no power cut or load shedding for the last 10 years. We have been able to provide a 10% discount on electricity rates for industrial units during daytime usage. Additionally, there are deliberations regarding extending these concessions to usage during the non-peak hours," the Minister added.

The Industrial Mega Summit, which is expected to gather more than ten thousand KSSIA-member industrialists from all 14 districts of Kerala, will be inaugurated on January 18 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Recognised as South India’s largest international industrial exhibition, the event has already seen twenty thousand trade visitors register. With 500 stalls, showcasing approximately 50,000 products, including modern automatic machinery, engineering, food, chemical, plastic, oil, gas, rubber, cashew, and agricultural products, the expo is providing a platform for exhibitors from across India and abroad to showcase their cutting-edge products and services. Aspiring entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to network with machinery manufacturers, while help desks set up by various banks will offer financial assistance for new ventures and expansions. A dedicated Kerala Pavilion, organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce, is also a major attraction at the event.

A media conclave was also held alongside the Expo on the theme “From Visibility to Credibility: How Media Shapes Business Success.”

“This three-day mega event serves as a vibrant platform to drive industrial growth and nurture entrepreneurship. Our primary goal is to attract industrialists to Kerala and significantly strengthen and upscale small-scale industries,” said A. Nizarudeen, State President, KSSIA.

Tomorrow the event will feature a seminar on Practical Implementation & Governance of Ease of Doing Business in Grassroot level, inaugurated by M.B. Rajesh, Minister for the Local Self Government Department & Excise.

The three-day-long event will be graced by a host of dignitaries, MPs, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Industries), Director of Industries and Commerce, and high-ranking officials.

Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony include: Benny Behnan, MP, Chalakkudy, Roji M. John, MLA, Angamali

V.K.C. Mammed Koya, Ex-MLA, KSSIA past State President; A. Nizarudeen, State President, KSSIA; K.P. Ramachandran Nair, Chairman IIIE 2026; Santhosh Koshy Thomas, MD, KINFRA; P.A. Najeeb, GM DIC, Ernakulam; Suraj. S., CEO, KBIP

Siji Nair, MD, Metro Mart; U.C.Lachitha Mol, Asst. Director, MSME DFO, Thrissur, KSSIA, past State Presidents, including Damodar Avanoor, A.P.M. Abdul Rahim, Joseph Paikada, KSSIA General Secretary, B. Jayakrishnan, KSSIA State Treasurer

KSSIA Vice Presidents such as A. Fasiludeen, P.J. Jose, A.V. Sunilnath, KSSIA State Secretaries such as M.S. Anaz, M.M. Mujeeb Rahiman, Anwar K.V. Khalid M., KSSF Chairman, S. Salim, KSSIA Chief News Editor