Kerala, traditionally a tourism hub, is keen to attract investments in other areas too.
Emerging Kerala 2012, from September 12 to 14 in Kochi, will showcase the state’s investment climate and policies to industry bodies, corporates and business leaders from India and around the world. The event will highlight 26 sectors (including biotechnology, energy, IT, ITES, food and agro processing, ports and logistics) in which Kerala is keen to attract investments.
A road-show to promote the event has already been held in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.
Inaugurating the Chennai leg, P.K. Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries and IT, Government of Kerala, said, “With proximity to air and sea routes, a green environment, literate and skilled manpower, Kerala is an ideal investment destination. The state has the lowest employment attrition rates in India.”
The tourism sector in the state attracts Rs 1,000 crore of investments every year. “A set of new investor-friendly policies in industries, SEZ, labour, tourism and healthcare have been introduced to make the State an attractive destination for sustained economic progress.”
Kunhalikutty also listed some of the big infrastructure projects under way in the State to underscore the investment opportunities in Kerala. They include the Kochi metro rail, the high speed rail corridor between Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore, the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone in Kochi-Pallakad Industrial Corridor Region and the Kannur international airport.
The state government also aims to convert Kerala into an entrepreneurial society, said the minister. “Various skill development and training programmes have been rolled out for equipping the younger generation with entrepreneurial skills.”
Emerging Kerala is a biennial event held in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry and Nasscom (National Association of Software and Services Companies). The event this year will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Over 1,600 people from 35 countries, including the UK, US and China, have registered for the summit which will feature plenaries, sectoral sessions, B2B and business-to-government meets.