Kerala on Decisive and Stable Path to Achieve Global Middle-Income Standards: CM at CII Meeting

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, stated that the state is now on a decisive and stable path toward achieving economic standards at par with the world’s leading middle-income countries. Addressing leading industrialists at the Sixth Meeting of the CII Southern Regional Council, the Chief Minister emphasized that by expanding equity, dignity, and opportunity, the government has laid the foundation to move the Kerala economy onto a higher plane of development. He emphasised that sustained investments in education, healthcare, food security, housing, social protection, and local self-governance have created a society marked by skills, confidence, and dignity.

The Chief Minister shared that over the past decade, more than 7,500 startups have been established in Kerala. He also referred to the successful Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025, which attracted investment commitments worth Rs 2 lakh crore, a significant portion of which has already been initiated. He further stated that Kerala attracted investment commitments worth Rs 1.18 lakh crore during engagements at the World Economic Forum 2026, Davos. Over the last ten years, industrial parks spanning nearly 3,500 acres have been developed and are nearing completion. Kerala is also emerging as a major hub for medical device manufacturing, accounting for 42% of India’s share in this segment.

The Chief Minister also released the CII Handbook on Kerala. This handbook highlights Kerala’s unique advantages, including its world-class human development indices, highly skilled and literate workforce, and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, while also spotlighting high-potential growth areas such as IT-enabled services, biotechnology, wellness and responsible tourism, renewable energy, and value-added traditional industries. The handbook serves as a ready reckoner on Kerala’s ambitious pathway to inclusive, resilient, and environmentally harmonious development.

Dr A Jayathilak, Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, also addressed the members, highlighting opportunities in the proposed rare earth and defence corridor. He underscored the strategic potential of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in boosting trade and logistics, and emphasised Kerala’s advantage of clean cities and breathable air compared to many polluted metropolitan centres, enhancing its appeal for investment and talent. Highlighting Kerala’s improving business ecosystem, he noted that in 2024 the state was recognised as a Top Achiever in the Fast Movers category under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) 2024 rankings of the DPIIT, Government of India. He mentioned that CII Government of Kerala Consultative Forum (GCCF) was instrumental in achieving this milestone.

Speaking during the session, Thomas John Muthoot, Chairman, CII Southern Region, said, “Innovation remains a defining pillar of Kerala’s growth model, with a strong focus on knowledge- and science-based industries that align closely with the state’s talent base and strengths.”

P Ravichandran, Deputy Chairman, CII Southern Region, appreciated Kerala’s focus on sustainability, particularly highlighting the success of Cochin International Airport Limited as the world’s first fully solar-powered airport.

VKC Razak, Chairman, CII Kerala, stated, “The remarkable progress Kerala has achieved in Ease of Doing Business, being recognised as a Top Achiever in the national EoDB rankings for the second consecutive time, reflects the Government’s strong commitment to industrial development.”

The meeting witnessed active participation from senior industry leaders across the Southern Region, reinforcing the collaborative agenda between government and industry to accelerate Kerala’s economic transformation.