Date:17/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101750842100.htm

Back Karnataka Chamber plans better liaison with State, Centre

‘Karnataka needs to sharpen its focus to achieve a 10 to 11 per cent growth for the next five years.’

Our Bureau

Bangalore, Oct. 16 In a bid to enhance its effectiveness, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has inducted a Secretary General and appointed an Adviser in Delhi for better coordination with the Central and State governments.

The minor change in the hierarchy, which places the Secretary General above the Secretaries, had been done recently, said Mr D. Muralidhar, President of FKCCI.

He said Mr A. Ramakrishna, former Additional Director of Industries in the State, has been appointed Secretary General while Mr N. Sunderam, a former industry veteran with experience in various sectors like fast moving consumer goods, real estate and export trade, will be Advisor in Delhi for liaising with the Central Government.

Biz research cell

Mr Muralidhar, who has been co-opted as a member of the State Planning Board and the State Vision Group chaired by the Chief Minister, said FKCCI has embarked on a strategy to make it a result-oriented organisation with the help of its planned Business Research cell, which will have young professionals to assist FKCCI plan industrial development in the State.

The research cell could help the organisation give useful inputs while advising government on important policy matters.

Having emerged as an important industrial hub, Karnataka needs to sharpen its focus to achieve a 10 to 11 per cent growth for the next five years, he said.

Using opportunities

“Growth in all sectors of the economy needs to be individually focused to achieve the desired goal. The main areas of concern are infrastructure, cost of doing business, bureaucracy and environment,” he said.