Invest Kerala Summit: Minister Rajeeve Leads Mumbai Road-show

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Industries Minister P Rajeeve today met top diplomatic representatives of various countries in the run-up to next year’s Invest Kerala Global Summit in the state, while also leading his department in a road-show for investors and entrepreneurs.

At The Leela Mumbai, the Minister held talks with Consul-Generals Anita Kelly (Ireland), Le Quang Bien (Vietnam), Taipei Economic Cultural Center Director-General Chun-Yu Chang and Deputy Consul Shui Yung Chan.

In his road-show in the evening with industrialists and investors, Rajeeve highlighted the reforms in Kerala’s industrial sector, pointing out that entrepreneurs required only a minute to obtain licences through the online K-Swift system. “Traditionally, we have been portrayed as an anti-industry state, but that does not match with the reality anymore,” he said, nullifying a general perception about frequent labour strikes in the state. “In fact, not a single factory has reported high-handedness in Kerala during the past four decades.”

Pointing out that some of the country’s flagship companies such as Cochin Shipyard and BPCL were located in Kerala, Rajeeve pointed out that none of them has lost a single day owing to strikes.

The Minister revealed that presenting documents online will qualify for the various permissions to start businesses. “Such reforms have enabled Kerala to reach the top position at the national level in industry-friendliness index,” he pointed out.

“We have world-class companies manufacturing health equipment. Our asset is an excellent workforce,” the Minister added, calling for support and cooperation from the investment community and industry leaders to “make full use of these advantages”.

Kerala Principal Secretary (Industries and Commerce) A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish gave a presentation on the state’s new Industrial Policy. Others present included Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) Chairman C Balagopal, Managing Director S. Harikishore, Executive Director Harikrishnan R, KINFRA Managing Director Santhosh Koshy Thomas, FICCI Senior Vice-Chairperson Pooja Arambhan, Jyoti Labs founder M.P. Ramachandran, Abrao Group Chief Operating Officer Raju Anthony and FICCI Maharashtra State Council Director Deepak Mukhi.

Today’s road-show was part of a series of conclaves the government has been holding in its build-up to the Invest Kerala Global Summit in Kochi on February 21 and 22. The conclave will showcase and focus on 22 priority areas that the government has identified in its New Industrial Policy. KSIDC had hosted similar road-shows in Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The next one in the series is in Delhi. Those abroad are in Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.