Introduction
The formation of the department of Non resident keralites' Affairs (NORKA) in December 1996 was aimed at the strengthening of relation between the NRKs and the Government of Kerala. It was also an attempt at institutionalizing the administrative framework. Ever since its origin NORKA has devised various schemes to help the NRK at every step
ROOTS is an attempt of the Government of Kerala to harness the potential of NRKs spread over the globe for the overall welfare of the state. It acts as a powerful interface between the Government and the NRKs by infusing various operational initiatives and flexible startegies.
The main objectives of ROOTS are:
To plan and implement programs and schemes for the welfare and benefit of NRKs.
To plan all assistance to NRKs and to take up matters concerning them with the Government of Kerala and Government of India.
To evolve startegies for the resettlement and reintegration of NRKs returning to Kerala.
To give thrust to the industrial development of the state by channelizing the NRKs resources and expertise and helping them to setup projects.
To undertake the establishment, management and monitoring of a worldwide network of organizations and groups of NRKs.
The Meet
ROOTs with its deep rooted objective of initiating the entreprenuership skills of NRKs along with the objective of channelising the NRK resources has decided to conduct a an 'Enterprise Avenue Showcasing event' in Cochin in the month of September. The meet, to be held in association with ICICI Kinfra Limited, a joint venture between Government of Kerala and ICICI, is part of its endeavour to initiate a dedicated investment drive for NRKs by co-ordinating different departments under identified sectors. The meet would showcase various avenues which would be ideal for NRK investment. Further a special cell is also envisaged for carrying out the post meet follow ups as well. The meet would be held on September 17& 18, 2004 at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor stadium, Kochi.
ROOTS intends to pursue the following objectives through the meet:
Dedicated investment drive to tap NRK resources.
The emphasis is given on various sectors where in NRK resources can be utilised.
Ongoing events of to be conducted in different parts of the State.
Employment generation through investment.
Emphasis on post-meet follow ups.
The proposed meet shall be conducted with specific focus on small to medium scale investments from the NRK and returnee communities. The events in the meet will focus on the following sectors:
Food processing & Animal Husbandry
Horticulture
Ayurveda & Herbal
IT & ITES
Hospitality and Tourism
Entertainment
Wagon wheel showing services offered in the meet
The actual conduct of the event shall be in the form of an exhibition by providing infrastructure for participating agencies to showcase their products, tailor made for NRK involvement. This might be in terms of land available, R&D practices that could be adopted, special schemes for NRKs, funding packages for startups, specific projects, etc. The NRKs attending the meet could obtain pertinent information and assistance for his investment proposals within the identified sectors. In the light of NRK proposals received in the meet, ROOTS will help them by co-ordinating various government departments so as to make their project proposal executable. For the meet, the member agencies shall be equipped with various support facilities which may required by the prospective NRK entrepreneur. Further, the agencies should also be clear on what is to be showcased and should be ready with information and demonstrations for the event which would be in line to the general guidelines provided by ICICI Kinfra Limited in the initial meeting.
Mode of association: The mode of association for the participating agencies and other sponsoring agencies shall be made in the following formats or combinations:
Stall space: Sufficient spaces for 30 stalls are earmarked for the participating agencies those who intend to put up their own stalls in the meet. Fee will be charged from the participating agencies for the same. The fee shall include all expenses viz., power outlets, stall installations etc
Sponsorship: In addition to the stall space, sponsorships from interested parties are also invited. The sponsoring agencies can put up banners, hoarding, streaming video projections, brochures and distribution spots with in the venue. The interested parties can also extend their association by sponsoring individual session, which will be arranged in the presentation pavilion. Further more on a competitive basis, an agency can also share the title with ROOTS in the meet.
Exhibition platform: An exhibition platform will be provided in the venue, where the sponsor could display/showcase their products by maintaining exclusivity. The exhibition platform shall be allotted on a first cum first serve basis.
Key benefits to the Participating Agencies:
Promote products/services
Get to know about the needs and pulse of the investment community
Get a venue for direct interaction with the potential investors
Presence of complimenting agencies in the meet
The proposed NRK meet is scheduled on the 17th and 18th of September 2004. As the focus areas necessitate some kind of explanation and demonstration to the visitors, a presentation pavilion also needs to be setup wherein NRK's could have a one to one meeting with experts in the corresponding sectors. Such pavilions can also be used as a forum for inviting experts in various sectors, successful NRK entrepreneurs, etc to make specific statements about services offered or experiences in relevant field, etc.
Post-meet Operations
Post-meet follow up is the most crucial effort for the successful accomplishment of the objectives of the meet. From specific problems to taking up of individual NRK enquiries, the post meet efforts would require the service of a dedicated team. As a major step towards this goal, an NRK initiative clearance cell will be formed to facilitate fast track clearances and assistance for NRK initiatives. The cell so formed should have members of such competency so that fast track clearances for NRK initiatives can be provided. In short a hand-holding would be provided for the potential investors so that their proposed projects can be realized. It should however be noted that the cell would not be constituted as another organization for NRK welfare, but would draw expertise from various sectors/organisations and should be headed by people of such seniority so that the objectives are clearly met. The cell shall meet regularly to review progress on specific queries that generate out of the meet in the beginning. In later stages it shall take a more general role acting as a single window system for providing clearances and assistance for NRK initiatives.
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Animal
Husbandry & Food Processing |
Horticulture |
Ayuverda
& Herbal |
IT
Enabled Services |
Tourism
& Hospitality |
Entertainment |
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ROOTS-NRK Development Initiative |