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+ 850.26
NIFTY 26,148.55
+ 263.75
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+ 263.75
CRUDEOIL 5,207.00
+ 41.00
CRUDEOIL 5,207.00
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GOLD 125,730.00
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With this initiative, Kerala aims to make 10,000 MSMEs export-ready by 2031, supported through standardised inspections, digital verification systems, and a unified branding approach
P. Vishnuraj, Director of Industries and Commerce.
The Directorate of Industries and Commerce (DIC) is accelerating Kerala Brand initiative — India’s first State-certified mark of ethical making — with a long-term plan to expand the certification to 100 product categories by 2031.
After a successful pilot with coconut oil, the State has inducted 10 additional product categories into the Kerala Brand ecosystem, covering both agri-food and industrial segments. The expansion has been guided by the criteria of export potential, raw material sourcing within Kerala, and the readiness of each sector to comply with strict quality and ethical benchmarks.
“We envision the Kerala Brand as something far deeper than a geographic label. It is a mark of trust — qualitative, ethical and State-endorsed,” said P Vishnuraj, Director of Industries and Commerce. The certification is designed to help Kerala’s MSMEs transition into globally acceptable, traceable, and ethically manufactured products, he said.
“Unlike most certifications that look only at product quality, Kerala Brand mandates strict ethical and sustainable practices. It reflects the State’s commitment to responsible, people-centred growth. For today’s discerning consumers, this government-backed ethical seal offers immediate confidence that a product is not just well-made but responsibly made,” Vishnuraj said.
With this initiative, he said Kerala aims to make 10,000 MSMEs export-ready by 2031, supported through standardised inspections, digital verification systems, and a unified branding approach. Certified products will be positioned under cohesive identities — such as Kerala coffee, Kerala tea, and Kerala honey — enabling buyers to instantly associate them with the State’s standards of purity and responsible production.
Integration with Kerala Tourism’s global visibility is planned in the next phase. Select Kerala brand products will be introduced at airports, duty-free stores, and tourism circuits, giving international visitors a direct encounter with the State’s ethical manufacturing identity.
Certified entrepreneurs can expect immediate advantages in credibility and market reach. DIC is onboarding producers onto platforms such as GeM, Amazon Saheli, and the State’s export portal, while also strengthening ties with the Export Promotion Bureau and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. Each certified product will carry a mandatory QR code enabling instant verification of quality and ethical compliance — streamlining decisions for both domestic and international buyers.
Published on November 26, 2025