The Hindu Business Line : Kerala's future lies in IT, biotech and tourism: CM

THE three-day multi-industry symposium of the US-based Ohio State University commenced here on Monday to discuss various issues faced by the global airline industry.

The meet will deliberate on contemporary issues of concern to the airline sector such as the evolving business models, redefining of business relationships, organisational readiness and the need to leverage new technologies. Senior executives of airline and allied industries will discuss the need for new business models and the potential of alternative business models available.

Inaugurating the symposium, the Chief Minister, Mr A.K. Antony said that the Government was committed to developing Kerala as a business and leisure centre as the State's future lies in information technology, biotechnology and tourism.

The IT advantages that Kerala provides include an internetised State and an information society, strategic location on the trans-national trade corridor, location attractiveness and communication infrastructure. Setting trends in e-governance, the Information Kerala project of the State Government is a trendsetter in the deployment of technology to the grass root level and a model for participatory governance through the effective use of IT, he said.

The biotechnology policy for Kerala is designed to catalyse the development and application of biotechnology taking advantage of the State's resources and emphasising its specific needs while meeting global requirements. The policy is aimed to ensure the rapid exploitation of pipeline technologies and opportunities available in the State to products and processes.

The State has recognised that biotechnology offers excellent opportunities in augmenting value creation, wealth and employment not only in many of these areas of traditional activity but also in ushering in new vistas for application in medicine, agriculture and industry. The main goal of the policy is to harness the State's biodiversity treasure without eroding or endangering the same in any way, Mr Antony said.

Mr V.K. Mathews, CEO of IBS Software Services, said that apart from putting Kochi on the global airline map and providing impetus to Kerala as a technology destination, the symposium also provides an opportunity for the top airline executives to savour Kerala as a tourist destination.

According to Mr Nawal Taneja of the Aerospace Enigneering and Aviation Department, Ohio State University, the symposium has over the years proven the value of interaction between airline and airline industry related professionals.

The university has so far co-hosted 10 successful conferences on behalf of the international airline industry, providing a forum for top executives to deliberate on contemporary issues and challenges facing senior business executives worldwide, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Flo Lugli, Senior Vice President, Airline Solutions fro Cendant's Travel Distribution Services, said the topics discussed during the symposium would prove to be pathfinders addressing the various issues faced by the global airline industry.

The participants at the symposium included top management representatives from Ford, Mazda, American, Continental, British Airways, Emirates, Aeromexico, All Nippon Airways, Virgina Atlantic Airways etc.