IT Leaders Need to be Ambassadors of Kerala’s Growth Story: Chief Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Noting that Kerala is witnessing a significant growth in industry sector, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today urged leaders of IT companies to become ambassadors of changes happening in the state by sharing their experience of scripting success.

The Chief Minister was interacting with leaders of IT companies in the state at a ‘Meeting with IT Companies,’ program organised by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in association with the Department of Industries & Commerce (DI&C).

The meet was convened as a run-up to ‘Invest Kerala Global Summit’ (IKGS 2025), scheduled in Kochi on February 21 to 22.

Highlighting the state’s ascendance to the top in ‘Ease of Doing Business,’ Vijayan said this has generated a renewed confidence among investors. “As investors of Kerala, IT leaders need to share their experience to peers outside the state by highlighting changes that have happened in the state’s industrial landscape. This would help overcome the wrong perceptions about Kerala.”

Responding to the queries from the attendees, the Chief Minister said the government will urgently intervene to improve connectivity including development of airports. Vijayan informed the gathering that steps have already been taken for the development of Kozhikode airport and the government will try to ensure flights to Europe on all days.

“Sabarimala airport is also going to be a reality. Besides efforts are on to establish airstrips in some parts of the state. Kochi Water Metro has drawn the attention of the nation and a waterway from Kovalam to Bekal is in the pipeline. The government is expecting to complete the Kovalam-Chettuva stretch of the waterway soon,” he said.

Citing the remarkable growth made by Technopark, Vijayan said steps to set up IT parks in Kannur and Kollam have gathered momentum. The Chief Minister said that it is also important to sustain the talented workforce available in the state while trying to attract those from outside the state as well.

To a query, the Chief Minister said the government will do timely interventions in artificial intelligence (AI) domain, which has already been included in school syllabus.

Minister for Industries, Law and Coir P Rajeeve said several run-up events and five roadshows had been completed ahead of IKGS 2025. In all, 49 preparatory programmes have been planned.

Rajeeve said the government is planning to set up a Pink Park for women entrepreneurs in the state. “A draft framework on Global Capability Centres (GCC) policy is getting ready. In the advent of AI, companies have the capability to transform themselves into Global Technology Centres (GTC) in the state,” he added.

Stressing that Kerala’s core strength is future-ready talent, A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, said there is a network of 1000-plus software technology companies across the three state IT parks.

Hanish also made a detailed presentation on Kerala’s strong MSME ecosystem and transformative programmes such as ‘Mission 1000’, providing insurance cover to units and building the Kerala Brand.

Dr Rathan U Kelkar, Secretary, Electronics & IT, who moderated the interaction, said the new IT Policy, which is due to be announced soon, envisages special incentives for women entrepreneurs. He added that the suggestions of participants of the meet will be acted upon in a time-bound manner.

KSIDC Board Member and IBS Software Founder & Executive Chairman V.K. Mathews said the digital economy today is about 25 percent of the global economy and in 2025, the expectation is that it will grow about 10 percent and would become about $5.8 trillion in size. Shri Mathews noted that Kerala has the best talent pool and infrastructure for the technology sector.

S Harikishore, Managing Director, KSIDC, and S D Shibulal, Co-founder, Infosys and Vice Chairman, High Powered IT Committee (HPIC), Govt. of Kerala, were also present.

Representatives and leaders of around 60 IT companies participated and made suggestions on improving connectivity, industry-academia partnership, state’s leadership role in AI, attracting talent to the state and IT corridor.

The meeting was organised to gain insights into the future expansion strategies of IT/ITeS companies operating in Kerala, identifying key challenges and obstacles faced by the IT companies, besides obtaining feedback from them to identify priority action areas for further growth of the IT industry. It also aimed at strengthening collaboration and communication between the government and industry leaders.

The conclave was part of a series of events the government has been holding in the build-up to IKGS 2025. The events are meant to showcase and focus on 22 priority areas that the government has identified in its New Industrial Policy.