FM Thomas Isaac invites pvt sector to boost coir industry

KOZHIKODE: The state government is ready to provide all support to private groups that come out to process the coconut fibre, said minister for finance and coir T M Thomas Isaac on Sunday.

Addressing a one-day workshop on ‘500 coconut fibre processing units’, Mr Isaac said that the private sector would be given all sorts of support for solving the plight of the coir sector. Thomas Isaac also said that Malabar region is ideal for promoting fibre industry.

In the discussion followed, the Minister agreed to work with the entrepreneurs for availing loans for projects and also to sort out issues at the initial stage. When entrepreneurs complained that it is tough to get power connection for industries in panchayats, Thomas Isaac promised them to sort out the issue in consultation with respective panchayats. If the entrepreneur did not get license within three months of submitting application for the same, he can proceed without the formal clearance as the officials of industries department are bound to issue licenses or reject the application within three months, he said.

VKC Mammadkoya MLA presided over the function. Department of Coir secretary P Venugopal delivered keynote address.