Kerala’s Logistics Parks Policy Ready in 2 Weeks: Minister Rajeeve

KOCHI:
Kerala will come out with a Logistics Parks Policy in a fortnight, adding to the benefits the state is all set to derive from the Centre’s plan to set up a couple of maritime clusters along its western coast, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir P Rajeeve said today.

The policy will help boost Kerala’s pioneering cluster coming up in Alappuzha district, and it is in tune with the state’s new Industrial Policy (2023) which has promotion of community-based networks as its core, he noted at a ‘Maritime and Logistics Roundtable 2024’ in the city.

“As technology holds a prominent slot in our new Industrial Policy, the maritime cluster in Cherthala will get further incentives,” he said at the half-day event organised by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) under the aegis of the Department of Industries and Commerce (DIS), at The Renai Cochin.

The 15-acre Cherthala cluster, where work has been on for six months as an agglomeration of industries linked to shipping and allied activities, is scheduled to be fully functional in next summer. The town is 35 km south of Kochi.

Rajeeve recalled that the Draft Logistics Policy, released in March this year, proposes investment subsidy of up to Rs 7 crore for logistics parks in the state. “We have been getting encouraging response from the stakeholders. The policy will be announced in two weeks,” he added.

The minister highlighted the futuristic role of Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) as a central PSU in Kerala for 52 years, emphasizing the spirit of the Central and state governments working in tandem for a major push for the country’s shipping industry.

The roundtable, which seeks to boost the government’s efforts to make Kerala a global destination for innovative technology, was part of an ongoing series to bolster links between the state and the innovative technology sector so as to facilitate a suitable ecosystem. Maritime and Logistics come 14th under a list of 22 priority sectors of the state as per the New Industrial Policy.

Rajeeve inaugurated the event and, after a panel discussion and open discussion, delivered his concluding remarks as well. The opening ceremony, which was presided over by Principal Secretary (Industries and Commerce) A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, had a special address by KSIDC Chairman Paul Antony and keynote by CSL CMD Madhu S. Nair.

The minister, while stressing the need for increased maritime productivity without cut in wages, reeled out the ways in which Kerala has been resolving issues facing its industries. Providing developer permit, pooling land, promoting campus industry parks and enabling an exit policy are some of the instances, he said, stressing the vitality of MSMEs in the maritime sector.

Paul Antony emphasised the need for supporting ancillary industries, noting that the roundtable comes at a time when the state was getting “accustomed to tuning in better” with the Centre.

Madhu S. Nair said CSL will achieve the capacity to handle 250 mid-size ships a year, as a third dry dock is set to function from this month-end. With the yard slated for inauguration on September 26, the dock can lift vessels weighing up to 6,000 tonnes, he pointed out, noting that the industrial climate in the state has changed positively in recent years.

KSIDC Managing Director S. Harikishore, and KSIDC Executive Director Hari Krishnan R. also spoke.

Hari Krishnan moderated a panel discussion on ‘Leveraging Kerala’s Strength in Maritime & Logistics Sector’. The panellists at the hour-long session comprised Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation MD R Girija, TVS SCS Global Freight Solutions General Manager M.S.R. Kumar, Kerala Maritime Board Chairman N.S. Pillai, Vizhinjam International Seaport CEO Sreekumar K. Nair, Sattva Logistics Director Padmanabhan Santhanam (who is also Secretary of NACFS), Trans Asian Shipping Services MD Johnson Mathew Kodinjoor and Seahorse Group Regional Manager Prakash Iyer.

Subsequently, a 40-minute open discussion was held, also inviting feedback. Hanish proposed thanks.

The Maritime and Logistics roundtable comes in continuation of yesterday’s Food Tech conclave. The series began with last month’s International Conclave on Gen AI held in association with IBM, also at Kochi. A subsequent Conclave on Continuing Investments was attended by 300 entrepreneurs who had brought in an overall investment of Rs 12,000 crore in past three years.

Recently, the KSIDC had hosted a roadshow in Chennai for investors. More such roadshows will be held in Mumbai, Delhi, Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The finale of the series will be a Global Investor Meet in Kochi in February next year.