Latest news with #M.G.Balakrishna
Fashion Value Chain
16-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Bharat Print Expo 2025 Sets New Benchmark in Bengaluru
Bharat Print Expo 2025, held from April 24–26 at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre, emerged as South India's largest and most influential print industry event. Organised by the All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) along with ReEnvision Events Pvt. Ltd. and Karnataka State Printers Association (KSPA), the debut edition was an emphatic success—marked by vibrant participation, cutting-edge exhibits, and serious business outcomes. A Grand Opening, A Bold Statement The inaugural day began with the traditional lamp lighting ceremony, graced by dignitaries such as Shri M.G. Balakrishna, President of FKCCI, along with key AIFMP leaders and industry stakeholders. The event officially unlocked a dynamic three-day showcase of innovation, collaboration, and commerce in printing and packaging. Business Beyond Expectations The expo witnessed an overwhelming response, both in footfall and business conversions. From digital and offset presses to automation solutions and post-press tech, the show offered a panoramic view of the industry's future. Prominent exhibitors including Canon, Autoprint, Megabound, Zhongke, Webtech, and Bindwell reported strong buyer engagement and real-time deal closures. 'Such a show was much needed in Bengaluru. Bharat Print Expo brought the right energy, opportunities, and momentum to the region's print industry,' said Shri M.G. Balakrishna. Industry Voices Celebrate the Breakthrough Exhibitors praised the expo for its high-quality audience and commercial traction: 'Phenomenal energy and scale for a first edition.' — Sunil Kumar, Canon 'We closed over five deals in a day and a half!' — Prem Vishwakarma, Robus India 'It's a game-changer for South India.' — Shivnandan Singh, Webtech 'We've finally found the right platform in Bengaluru.' — Anup Verma, Sona Fine Papers Visitors echoed similar enthusiasm: 'Every aisle had something new to offer.' — Nitin Bajaj, ProPrint Services 'A bridge between today's print tech and tomorrow's innovations.' — Rajeev Bansal, UltraPack India A Platform for Innovation and Insight More than just a trade show, Bharat Print Expo 2025 acted as a hub for networking, trend-spotting, and collaboration. Thousands of professionals from across India and overseas explored transformative solutions and connected with decision-makers, reinforcing Bengaluru's potential as a print industry hotspot. Next Destination: Chennai 2026 The event closed with a high-energy announcement—Bharat Print Expo 2026 will take place in Chennai from April 27–29, 2026. With Bengaluru setting the bar high, all eyes are on Chennai for a bigger, bolder edition. 'Get ready for something even more spectacular,' said Anil Arora, Director of ReEnvision Events Pvt. Ltd.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
FKCCI calls for a quick reassessment of minimum wages to prevent closure of MSMEs
The cost of doing business in Karnataka is now significantly higher than in neighbouring States such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh and such cost escalations coupled with an improper minimum wage structure have been putting a lot of pressure on small entrepreneurs in the State, said M.G. Balakrishna, president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), on Wednesday. 'The cost of doing business in Karnataka is now significantly higher than in neighbouring States like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh,' he said. The FKCCI, after wide consultations with member industry associations, has voiced grave concern over the recent hike in minimum wages across Karnataka, highlighting its devastating impact on the State's industrial landscape, particularly on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector. Speaking at a special meeting organised by the trade body for its member associations here, he demanded an urgent reassessment of minimum wages to prevent the closure of the MSME units in the State. 'The indiscriminate wage hike, without assessing the paying capacity of small-scale industries, is leading to a situation where many of them are considering shutting down,' he cautioned. At the meeting on Wednesday, representatives of the Peenya Industrial Estate, Asia's largest small-scale industrial cluster, revealed that the increase in variable dearness allowance (VDA) and resultant wage hike has rendered the operations of many small units financially unviable, and consequently, some 20% of units were at risk of closure if the government did not take immediate corrective steps. The high minimum wages, while well-intentioned, were eroding Karnataka's competitive advantage in attracting investments, especially in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, light engineering, electronics, and packaging, Mr. Balakrishna added. The trade body further cautioned that, if a high wage regime continued, there would be loss of jobs across the State and loss of tax revenue to the government. 'Under a high minimum wage structure, the MSMEs will succumb to closure or decide to shift to neighbouring States where the minimum wages are lower than what they are in Karnataka,' he said. Some of the recommendations made by the FKCCI to the State government include introducing differentiated minimum wage slabs for MSMEs vs. large industries, immediately convening a wage rationalisation committee, and providing relief through power tariff subsidies, labour cess waivers, or working capital support. The trade body also asked the Central government to enforce a uniform national minimum wage ceiling, announce wage-linked incentives or subsidies under MSME schemes, and reduce the regulatory burden on small industries to retain employment generation. The FKCCI also urged various labour unions and civil society outfits to participate in constructive dialogue and recognise the unique vulnerabilities of the MSMEs, which collectively contribute over 45% to industrial jobs in Karnataka.
