President’s Message

As I embark on this new role as the President of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I am deeply humbled by the honour and privilege bestowed upon me to lead an organization with a legacy of over 83 years. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your unwavering trust and confidence. I must also take a moment to acknowledge the remarkable efforts and contributions of our outgoing President, Mr. Ganesh Kamath, and his dedicated team, who have achieved significant milestones and initiated impactful endeavours during their tenure.

Our journey begins in the newly renovated chamber building, a symbol of our commitment to preserving our rich heritage while advancing trade and commerce in our region. This architectural transformation, achieved by the Building Renovation Committee, breathes new life into our chamber’s physical identity, retaining its essence and adding a modern touch.

From the very inception of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, our vision has been to foster a vibrant and prosperous business community that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and a strong global identity. To realize this vision, we have outlined our strategic focus areas for the year 2023-24:

1. Alternative Dispute Resolution Center (ADR): Our primary goal is to enhance the existing ADR Centre, equipping it with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology to facilitate mediation, arbitration, and negotiation. This endeavour goes beyond infrastructure; we are committed to providing ADR professionals with comprehensive training and certification to ensure competence and adherence to ethical standards. Moreover, we will actively engage in knowledge dissemination through seminars, webinars, and workshops, promoting ADR as the preferred method of dispute resolution. We aim to forge valuable partnerships with law schools and legal institutions to promote research and innovation in ADR. Our pursuit includes securing necessary certifications and recognitions from Government Bodies and the Judiciary, with official correspondence initiated with the Secretary, Department of Justice, Government of India.

2. Knowledge Centre: Our goal is to establish a dynamic hub of knowledge and expertise that supports business growth in Mangalore. This includes the creation of a digital library offering industry-specific reports, case studies, and research papers. We plan to organize training programs, workshops, and seminars that cover a wide array of business management, technology, and innovation aspects. Furthermore, we intend to connect experienced mentors with startups and small businesses to offer guidance and support, foster knowledge enhancement and sharing among family businesses, collaborate with academic institutions to facilitate research and internships for students, and launch a dedicated YouTube channel to promote the Knowledge Centre.

3. Land Acquisition for Knowledge Center: To make the Knowledge Centre a state-of-the-art facility that caters to a broad spectrum of services, resources, and opportunities for our members and the community at large, we are actively working on collaboration with government agencies. This includes identifying and securing the necessary land. We are also exploring opportunities to acquire land through potential donors who are keen on contributing to charitable causes.

4. Building Brand Mangaluru: Elevating Mangalore’s global recognition and perception as a vibrant and competitive business hub is a top priority. Our efforts involve developing a comprehensive marketing strategy that showcases Mangalore’s strengths, culture, and opportunities. We are committed to actively engaging with potential investors, both domestic and international, to attract investments in key sectors. We advocate for improved infrastructure, transportation, and connectivity to enhance the overall appeal of Mangalore. Organizing events that celebrate the cultural diversity and heritage of Mangalore will further foster international partnerships.

These strategic focus areas underscore our unwavering commitment to the economic and social development of Mangalore. By prioritizing Alternative Dispute Resolution, Knowledge Sharing, Brand Building, and Land Acquisition, we aspire to create a prosperous and globally recognized business ecosystem in Mangalore.

I am pleased to share that I have had the privilege of meeting with the District-in-charge Minister, Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, and have extended an invitation to him for an interaction with our members. I am confident that this interaction will lay a solid foundation for the overall development of our region.

As you are aware, our state has recently experienced the lowest rainfall in 123 years, resulting in 195 out of 236 taluks being declared drought-hit due to a rainfall deficit of approximately 40%. This dire situation has brought a looming water and power crisis to the forefront. In response, our chamber will actively engage with stakeholders to propose and implement necessary measures to address this crisis effectively.

In Our efforts to support MSMEs, we are working towards several crucial matters, including:

Extending the provisions of Chapter V of the MSMED Act, 2006 to Medium Enterprises.

Ensuring that MSMEs awarded under section 18(3) are treated as Secured Creditors by Insolvency Professionals under the IBC 2016.

Ensuring that the Moratorium that comes into effect when a company is admitted to Resolution under IBC 2016 does not apply to proceedings under Chapter V of the MSMED Act, 2006.

Ensuring that when a company is taken over or liquidated, the dues to MSMEs rank on par with dues to employees.

Amending the MSMED Act 2006 to overcome the ruling of the Supreme Court in Silpi Vs. KSRTC, ensuring that registration at the time of supply is not compulsory under the MSMED Act 2006 for filing a claim under the MSME Samadhaan scheme and that the law of limitation does not apply to claims under the MSMED Act 2006.

Expanding the list of MSEs eligible to avail of the MSME Samadhaan scheme to include Traders and Works Contractors.

I, along with my team, reiterate our unwavering commitment to the cause of commerce and industry. Rest assured; we will remain ever-responsive to the evolving dynamics of the business landscape. Our mission is to foster a thriving and globally recognized business community in Mangalore, and we look forward to achieving this together.

Sincerely,

President,
Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry