Emerging Scenario of Entrepreneurial Development in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Kerala

Abstract

In India, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector consisting of 36 million units, as of today, provides employment to over 80 million persons. The sector through more than 6,000 products contributes about 8 per cent to GDP besides 45 per cent to the total manufacturing output and 40 per cent to the exports from the country. In Kerala, the MSME sector contributes to the process of economic growth, employment generation and balanced regional development. It has the potential to emerge as a strong, vibrant and globally competitive sector in the State’s economy. Keeping in view, the present study is based on the following objectives; i). To analyze the district-wise working of SSI/MSME registered units in Kerala between the period 2001 and 2015. ii).To study the district-wise details of working SSI/MSMEs units by social categories in Kerala, during the reference period. iii).To examine the district-wise investment, value of goods and services produced and the level of employment of registered SSI/MSME units in Kerala during the period of the study. The study is based on secondary data and percentage analysis was used. Of late, about 40 per cent of the total units accounted by Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. Wayanad and Kasargod districts were placed at lowest position in terms of the number of units registered. The role of women promoters was more in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kottayam district and Thrissur district. Women promoters were very low in Wayanad district and Kasargod district. The percentage of SSSI/MSMEs units registered by SC category was more in Palakad,Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram districts during the study period. Wayanad district and Kasargod district accounted for the lowest units. Higher level of investment on SSI/MSMEs units was hold by the entrepreneurs in Eranakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur districts.The value of goods and services produced recorded at higher level by the units in Idukki, Eranakulam and Kollam districts. The level of employment generated was more in SSI/ MSMEs located at Eranakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur districts in the State.