Ministries come and go, policies remain: Kerala Industries Minister
Thiruvananthapuram, July 28
Sending a strong signal to investors after the change in government, Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty on Tuesday assured that Kerala's industrial policies would remain stable, declaring that ministries may come and go, but policies will stay.
Addressing a consultation with industry leaders organised by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), the Minister said all projects announced under the Invest Kerala initiative would continue as planned, stressing that policy continuity would remain the cornerstone of the state's investment strategy.
The government will roll out three key initiatives as part of its 100-day programme: a Chief Minister-led Investment Advisory Council, the Invest Kerala Cell under KSIDC, and Kerala Desks in major global business centres to strengthen investor confidence and accelerate industrial growth.
Kunhalikutty said the government was building a comprehensive investment ecosystem to transform Kerala from a remittance-dependent economy into an investment-led economy.
He added that industry feedback would be incorporated before the new initiatives are finalised through executive orders and legislative measures.
Reiterating the government's commitment to improving the business climate, the Minister said Ease of Doing Business reforms would receive the highest priority, while an Investment Promotion Board and Investment Advisory Council would provide strategic direction to industrial development.
"Kerala is now widely regarded as one of the most suitable destinations for starting businesses and making investments. The state is the go-to destination for industries in India now," he said.
Noting that investor grievances had declined significantly because of better technology and infrastructure, Kunhalikutty said Kerala had made remarkable progress in information technology and emerging sectors.
"If we can further strengthen skill development in these sectors, Kerala can emerge as one of India's most important investment destinations," he added.
Seeking to reassure entrepreneurs, the Minister made it clear that investments would be welcomed regardless of political affiliations. "Investments will be welcomed irrespective of political affiliations, whether they come from supporters of the ruling party or the opposition," he said.
Overseas Kerala Desks proposed in Dubai, London, New York, Singapore, and Tokyo will help attract global investments, particularly from the Malayali diaspora.
Industry leaders, meanwhile, sought the creation of a state land bank for industries, statutory status for KSIDC, time-bound regulatory clearances, improvements to the K-SWIFT portal, clarity on labour code implementation, and streamlined licensing procedures to further enhance Kerala's investment climate.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Minister Kunhalikutty has a good track record from his previous tenure. The idea of Kerala Desks in Dubai, London, and New York is smart – our diaspora has money and wants to invest back home. But the real test will be whether we can actually speed up land acquisition and approvals. K-SWIFT portal needs a major overhaul; it's still clunky compared to Gujarat's system.
As someone who's been trying to set up a small manufacturing unit in Kerala for two years now, I can tell you the 'Ease of Doing Business' reforms are still very much a work in progress. The minister's words are encouraging, but we need concrete timelines – not just advisory councils. Still, I appreciate the effort to reach out to industry leaders directly. Every state has its challenges.
'Ministries come and go, policies remain' – this is exactly what we needed to hear. Being an NRI from Dubai, I've seen how Kerala's political instability scares away investors. But let's be realistic: our labour unions and frequent strikes remain a major concern. If the government can really tackle that while bringing in global investments, Kerala can truly transform from a remittance economy. Macha, let's hope this time it's different! 😊
I'm cautiously optimistic. The minister rightly pointed out that Kerala is now seen as a suitable destination – our high literacy rate and skilled workforce are genuine strengths. But why is the Investment Advisory Council only at the Chief Minister level? We need this to percolate down to panchayat level where most entrepreneurs actually have to deal with bureaucracy. Also, statutory status for KSIDC is long overdue.
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