Research Scholar, Department of Commerce, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Abstract
This paper aims to draw a complete picture of Micro, Small, and
Medium Enterprises’ (MSMEs) structure and growth in Kerala by
analysis all India censuses of MSMEs starting from 1973. The
MSME sector in Kerala has been neglected in the past due to
political, economic, and social reasons. This paper emphasizes
the stature of the small business in the state by comparing
principal characteristics of the sector with neighbouring states and
all India averages. There is a tremendous growth opportunity for
IT and tourism along with traditional industries like handicrafts,
handloom, Khadi, food-processing industries, garment making,
and textile industries in the state. Promotion of the sector would
stimulate industrialization, solve the problem of slow growth,
unemployment among educated youth, and the issues arising from
the unprecedented return of migrates. This paper also analyzes the
catalytic role of MSMEs in industrialization of rural and backward
areas; targeting youth and socially disadvantaged group such as
SCs, STs, and women. Most of the literature is focused on issues
and credit crunch of the sector by oversimplifying the key role of
MSMEs on state’s development. The important finding of the study
is: Kerala is far below in terms of area, population, and infrastructure
facilities among Indian states, but in turn MSMEs’ performance is
the state stands among the top contributing state of the country.
Keywords: All India Census of MSMEs, Employment, Industrialization, Investment, MSMEs, Production
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