03 Jul 2021
India’s second COVID-19 wave has resulted in the unfolding of an unprecedented health crisis. The Government has rightly allowed vaccinations to the larger age-group of 18+ years which could provide some succour in the months to come. CII has been actively working to assist the Government with the evolving situation on vaccination and medical oxygen.
Southern Region (SR) is seeing a trend of declining number of COVID-19 cases. CII SR has urged the state governments in the region to look at micro containment zones as a strategy towards ensuring business continuity and livelihoods of people rather than implementing full lockdown. On the vaccination front, CII SR is working closely with state governments and membership in vaccinating employees and their families of member companies in the region. Vaccination is the only way forward for people to safeguard against the COVID-19 threat and also to support Industry in restarting with a healthy workforce.
On the economy front, various policy measures and fiscal stimulus packages announced by the Central Government would help in bringing the economy back on track. The robust growth of India’s exports since December 2020, as global recovery, particularly of advanced countries shows a positive signal for revival of economic growth in the country. Sectors such as automobile, auto components, textiles, leather, IT, healthcare & pharma, defence & aerospace have huge potential to drive growth and contribute towards realising the USD 5 trillion economy vision for India.
The southern states have always played an important role in India’s economic growth. They lead in various socio-economic indicators in the country. In alignment with the national theme, CII Southern Region has adopted the theme, ‘Building South India for a New World – Growth, Competitiveness, Sustainability and Technology’ for the year 2021-22.
As part of the regional work plan this year, CII SR would continue to focus on key imperatives such as policy & regulatory excellence, building southern core competitiveness; employment generation & livelihood creation, development of MSMEs, membership engagement besides focusing on a developmental growth agenda with thrust on CSR, affirmative action, women and youth. In addition, the region will also focus on agriculture, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, family businesses, international engagement, start-ups, sustainability besides special focus on India@75.
This year, the key focus area would be on implementation of the work plan with measurable outcomes by having an impact assessment on all CII initiatives and programmes organized throughout the year. Through all these areas of work, Yi and IWN would be involved actively throughout the region.
CII SR will also initiate specific interventions for the benefit of MSME members at the state-level. MSMEs would be offered value added services on a wide range of subjects through active partnership with CII CoEs.
CII SR will continue to use CII HIVE in providing our members a platform to network, exchange new ideas and explore business opportunities at various sectoral major initiatives.
I am sure, CII Southern Region, with the active support of members and office bearers of the states, zones and districts across the region would scale newer heights in all our initiatives for the benefit of members and other stakeholders.
The article by Mr C K Ranganathan, Chairman, CII Southern Region and Chairman & Managing Director, CavinKare Pvt Ltd. first appeared in the June 2021 issue of CII Communique. Click here to read the issue.