KOCHI:
The Kerala government will showcase its upgraded investment portal at the January 9-10 ASCEND 2020 which will provide all the details required by investors to set up new ventures in the state.
The Invest Kerala Portal —https://invest.kerala.gov.in — is a single window facilitator for hassle-free investment promotion launched under its Ease of Doing Business initiatives.
“The Portal is the common repository for land bank details, investor wizard, various services and schemes, and lenders. It is a huge investor-friendly initiative that is designed to address all the queries and concerns of prospective and aspiring investors and includes details about IBPMS (Intelligent Building Plan Management System),” Industries minister E P Jayarajan said.
Elaborating, the minister said Investment Promotion and Facilitation Cell constituted on behalf of Kerala State Single Window Board would be responsible for smooth interaction with applicants and issuance of speedy approvals.
“Single Window Board has been invested with the power to issue composite clearances that will be binding on all departments/agencies. Deemed licenses can be issued by the respective Boards in cases where the stipulated time period of 30 days has been exceeded. Licences are to be issued for five years and renewal of the same will also be for five years. Renewal will be automatic based on fee payment with no separate application process,” he added.
Organised by Department of Industries, the high-profile ASCEND 2020 is scheduled for January 9-10 next year at Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre, Bolgatty Island, Kochi.
Jayarajan said allottable industrial land of over 2,000 acres has been developed while schemes for subsidy and grants for industries being set up in the state have been put in place.
With policies in place, the government has identified priority sectors like Petrochemical, Life Sciences, Electronics, Food processing and Defence as the key drivers of growth in the coming years.
Further, for each of the priority sectors, the government has ensured setting up of dedicated industrial parks enabling an all-encompassing environment for industries in these sectors to start business. The Life Science Park with a total area of 75 acres is situated in Thiruvananthapuram while the Electronics Hardware Park, located on a sprawling 100 acres, is in Ernakulam district. The other industrial parks are Defense Park in Palakkad District (60 acres), Petrochemical Park in Ernakulam district (481.79 acres) and two Mega Food parks in Palakkad and Alappuzha districts (147.42 acres).
The industrial parks would be the most prestigious projects of the state government for promoting manufacturing, assembling units and R&D center.
The government has already implemented an online, single window clearance mechanism with unique features to ease the proceedings of launching new ventures. Known as K-SWIFT (Single Window Interface for Fast and Transparent Clearance) mechanism, it is designed to bring together relevant departments for expediting approvals within the stipulated timeframe, reducing and simplifying procedures and substantially curtailing bureaucratic interventions.
Jayarajan said the Kerala government has taken earnest and proactive steps to improve the business environment in the state. “The amendments / modifications made as part of the Ease of Doing Business initiatives and the industrial infrastructure will create an enabling environment for establishing, running and winding up enterprises in the state,” he pointed out.
“Kerala is now transforming itself as an emerging destination for setting up industries and doing business. It tops the chart in many social indices, and stands as the safest and secure state. We are keen to facilitate more industries and production centres to help accelerate the brand Kerala,” the minister added.
