Mangaluru-(Press Release): The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has declared that, in alignment with its national theme, the CII Southern Region branch will focus this year on key enablers of growth that will propel economic growth of the southern states and will also set the tone to transition South India@75 to South India@100.

Speaking to reporters in the city on Saturday, Kamal Bali, Chairman of CII Southern Region, and President and Managing Director of Volvo Group India, said that the transition to South India@100 will be undertaken with the theme 'Transformation through Competitiveness, Growth, Sustainability, Trust & Globalisation' for the year 2023-24.

Highlighting the theme, Bali said, "We have nine tracks of focus or theme enablers. They are People and Culture Rejuvenation, Holistic Sustainability and ESG, Tech Adoption and Digital Transformation, Embracing Energy Transition, Innovation and Startup Ecosystems, Manufacturing Excellence, Industry 4.0, International Linkages, MSMEs, Membership Engagement and Brand Building and Sectoral Promotion."

Detailing the action points under the category of competitiveness, he said, "CII will work closely with the state government in bringing state-level policies on Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, as these are very important in realizing the economic goals and vision of the southern states. CII would also set up a state-level task force on Digital Transformation to support industries in their digitalization initiatives. This is primarily to make CII member companies be ready for Industry 4.0."

He added that CII will be handholding 2,000 MSMEs, which will be serviced and sensitized on various elements of competitiveness in collaboration with the CII Centres of Excellence.

The Chairman further said, "On the Growth front, CII would give special focus on state-level industrial policies and sectoral policies in areas like Start-ups, AI, Exports & Logistics, Food Processing & Clean Energy."

N M P Jeyesh, Regional Director, CII Southern Region, was also present at the Press Meet.

The CII Southern Region opened its office in Mangaluru on Saturday, as a major step towards expanding its services in South India. The office was inaugurated by Bali, in the presence of Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, Chairman, CII Karnataka; Praveen Kumar Kalbhavi, Chairman, CII Mangaluru District, and other senior office bearers and members of Karnataka.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Bali said that, with the opening of new office in Mangaluru, CII’s office network in South India had increased to 17, including three in Karnataka. CII would now extend its services to members and other stakeholders with specific interventions for the development of MSMEs. Mangaluru, being a vibrant tier-II city, has huge potential to contribute to the growth of Karnataka, he opined.

Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan said that an office in Mangaluru was a long dream of members in Karnataka and with their support it had become a reality. With the expansion of its network in Karnataka, the CII would be able to service its members at the grass-root level.

The opening of the office in Manguluru would support in the industrialization and economic growth of the district, he added.

Praveen Kumar Kalbavi said, "The Mangaluru office will strengthen CII’s presence in tier-II cities in Karnataka and offer specific services to industry members in sectors like exports, food processing, manufacturing besides active engagement with academia and MSMEs in the district. The Mangaluru office will play a catalytic role in the transformation of the region as an economic power house of Karnataka."

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Vancouver (British Columbia) (AP/PTI): A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the northern Pacific Coast of the Canadian province of British Columbia on Sunday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS said the quake was located off the tip of Haida Gwaii, an archipelago located about 1,720 kilometres (1,069 miles) north of Vancouver. It occurred at a depth of 33 kilometers (20 miles) beneath the surface.

The US Tsunami Warning Center reported that there was no threat of a tsunami from this earthquake.

There were no immediate reports of major damage.