Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Saturday, Nov 22, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Saturday, Nov 22, 2003 |
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Industry & Economy
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Economy `Vision Kerala' to focus on need-based targets Mony K. Mathew
Thiruvananthapuram , Nov. 21 THE `Vision Kerala-2025' document being prepared by the State Planning Board will focus on setting need and capacity-based targets for each and every sector of the economy. The long-term targets will be divided into short periods to enable mid-term appraisals at regular intervals. And while setting the targets, all development indicators will be quantified with sub-sector break-ups, according to Mr. C.P. John, Member, State Planning Board. The prime issues to be tackled in such an exercise are the proper utilisation of natural and human resources. This would require revision and modification of existing mode of operation through intervention and application of innovative and modern technologies, he says. Mr John feels that major policy changes are also needed in areas such as employment, eradication of poverty, regional disparities and backwardness, financing of the perspective plan and policy and programme imple- mentation. One of the strengths of Kerala is its bio-wealth and protection, production, processing and marketing of the bio-wealth in the form of agro-related activities hold tremendous potential for the State. "Bio-wealth to Kerala is what petroleum reserves are to the Gulf countries," he notes. Another important strength of the State is its infrastructure such as airports, harbours, good transportation and communication networks. Its human resources marked by high levels of literacy and general English education of the workforce are internationally competitive. Yet another factor advantageous to Kerala is the NRIs numbering 13.86 lakh who account for 4.4 per cent of the population. The people working abroad constitute 10 per cent of the workforce of the State and their remittances amount to 22 per cent of the State's income. However, one of the serious locational disadvantages of Kerala is that it is poorly endowed with natural energy resources such as petroleum and coal. The low productivity of the production sectors is also one of its main weaknesses, according to Mr John. On opportunities, he says there is good scope for the State in sectors such as information technology, tourism, Ayurveda, biotechnology and organic farming. Modernisation of traditional industries and handicrafts also offered vast opportunities for Kerala. The demographic transitions in the form of an ageing population and the resultant pressure on working population pose one of the threats for the development of the State. Also, the major crops produced here such as spices and plantation produces are facing international competition from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Guatemala. The declining opportunities for migration to the West Asia will also affect the State's labour class and the foreign remittances. The vision document will feature a well-planned development approach by taking into account all these factors and it will set rational targets and strategies, including contingency plans, he says.
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