About DSFC

The Government of Kerala, as part of the District Business Reforms Action Plan 2026-27, has decided to establish District Startup Facilitation Centres (DSFCs) within all District Industries Centres (DICs) across the State. This initiative is aimed at decentralising startup support services, enabling grassroots-level entrepreneurship, and creating an integrated, district-based ecosystem for startup promotion, incubation, mentorship, and credit facilitation.

This initiative is implemented by the Directorate of Industries & Commerce (DI&C), in coordination with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and the Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Centres (IEDCs).

Governance Structure

State Level

The overall working of the DSFCs will be monitored by the Director of Industries & Commerce with the support of Nodal Officer for DBRAP and the SPOC at the Kerala Startup Mission. The official hierarchy of Technical Consultancy (TC) Wing at the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, reports to the Nodal Officer for streamlining all the activities.

District Level

A District-Level Committee is formed under the chairmanship of the GM-DIC with representatives from key line departments to ensure inter-departmental coordination, facilitation, and monitoring. The committee shall include, but not be limited to :

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About Investment Promotion Cell

The Directorate of Industries & Commerce (DI&C), Government of Kerala, has decided to establish Investment Promotion Cells (IPCs) within all District Industries Centres (DICs) across the State. This initiative is aimed at creating a localized, proactive, single-point facilitation hub within each district to inform, guide, and accelerate investment promotion for prospective entrepreneurs and existing enterprises.

The IPC is dedicated to informing entrepreneurs about government schemes, financial assistance, and industrial policies; assisting with statutory clearances, licenses, and grievance redressal; actively attracting domestic diaspora (NRK), and foreign investment to the district; and establishing continuous outreach and communication channels with local entrepreneurs.

Governance Structure

State Level

The overall direction of investment promotion activities is provided by the Special Investment Promotion Task Force, constituted under G.O.(MS)No.57/2020/ID, with the Director of Industries and Commerce functioning as Member Secretary. The Task Force provides policy alignment, approves special incentive packages and fast-track clearance measures, and serves as the apex escalation point for district-level IPCs.

District Level

At the district level, the Single Window Clearance Board, chaired by the District Collector, functions as the principal district governance and approval body, processing investment proposals up to ₹15 Crore and ensuring inter-departmental coordination for statutory clearances. The General Manager (GM), District Industries Centre represents the IPC before the Board, escalates policy-level bottlenecks, and coordinates with the State-level Task Force on behalf of the district.

Services and Functions

The following services shall be facilitated through the IPC to serve investors and entrepreneurs:

The International MSME Day Celebration conducted by DIC Ernakulam on 27th June 2025 at KSSIA Technocity, Kalamassery, was inaugurated by Sri. Manoj Moothedan, President of District Panchayath, Ernakulam.

The seminar on "Ease of Doing Business—Kerala," organized by DIC Ernakulam as part of the 'Ente Keralam" exhibition, is inaugurated by the Director of Industries and Commerce, Sri. Vishnuraj P IAS, on 19th May 2025 at Marine Drive Ground, Ernakulam.

Sri Najeeb P. A., GM DIC, moderated the seminar, and district-level officers from other departments participated in the discussion.

Hon.Director of Industries and commerce  Sri.Vishnuraj IAS Visited DIC on 21st May 2025

Felicitation of Hon District Collector Sri.NSK Umesh IAS by GM DIC on 3rd April 2025