B Swaminathan | IMAWS

Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI), in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, is organizing Dakshin Bharat Utsav–2024 on the 15th and 16th of June, 2024.

The primary objective is to attract Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to invest in the state’s tourism industry. K. Shiva Shanmugam, Past President of FKCCI, stated that the initiative seeks to generate substantial employment opportunities for local communities in their respective regions while simultaneously providing a return on investment for participating MSMEs.

“Dakshin Bharat Utsav – 2024 will serve as a platform for MSME investors from all southern states to explore investment prospects in Karnataka’s tourism sector,” Shanmugam emphasized. He added that state chambers of commerce will facilitate collaboration between the government and investors, streamlining the process of obtaining necessary approvals through a single-window system.

Potluri Bhaskara Rao, President of the Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce, highlighted the importance of attracting foreign tourists to the country’s diverse travel destinations.

Rao pointed out that while Andhra Pradesh lacks any of India’s 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the state boasts notable attractions such as Gandikota, dubbed the “Grand Canyon of India,” in addition to renowned spiritual and religious sites like Tirumala and Srisailam. He called for the state government to promote these locales beyond their traditional religious tourism offerings actively.

“FKCCI has 3,800 direct members and over 250,000 indirect members across Karnataka, including 29 District Chambers of Commerce and 151 Trade Industry Associations. The Federation is a member of national bodies such as FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and the International Chamber of Commerce. Its global affiliations facilitate trade collaborations between Karnataka industries and international enterprises. FKCCI actively engages in discussions with international trade entities, furthering opportunities for Karnataka’s industries on the global stage. With more than a century of dedicated service to Commerce and Industry, FKCCI ranks among the country’s foremost chambers and is one of the oldest chambers in any state in India,” said Balakrishna, VP of the association.

The Dakshin Bharat Utsav promises to be a vibrant two-day affair, meticulously designed to engage and empower stakeholders within the dynamic tourism industry, with a diverse array of activities lined up, including the Tourism Investors Meet, an exhibition spotlighting the rich culture, cuisine, and tourism offerings of the state, and invaluable networking opportunities through B2B and B2G interactions.