The Kerala government on Thursday released a vision document with the goal of making the state an industrial powerhouse and a leading industrial investment destination in the country. Significant structural reforms would be initiated to accomplish this mission, the state’s Minister for Industries, Law and Coir P Rajeeve said, while unveiling the ‘Vision 2031’ document.
The minister said the government was planning industrial corridors and innovation hubs with the aim of overall augmentation of the secondary sector. “The document sets out a comprehensive vision to transform Kerala into India’s premier industrial destination,” he added.
An important step in this regard would be amending the Single Window Clearance Board Act with focus on setting up industrial townships and special investment zones, Rajeeve revealed.
The government will set up a Kerala University for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on a public-private partnership model with the aim of equipping the youth with the future industrial needs. The university aims to ensure industry-oriented education by integrating learning, incubation and knowledge generation.
Also, a Vizhinjam Outer Area Growth Corridor will be implemented to develop the area surrounding the Vizhinjam port into a global economic hub. The project envisages eight clusters. As part of its development as a port-based smart industrial and economic ecosystem, the Vizhinjam-Kollam-Punalur Growth Triangle will be brought in over 1,700 acres.
The document also envisages 200 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) to transform the state into a global destination for high-tech centres. Special innovation parks will also be established for the GCCs and Global Technology Centres.
A Kochi Global City project is being developed on 358 acres as a key component of the Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. This centre, which will attract global financial institutions and corporate headquarters, aims to create 1,20,000 direct jobs and 3,60,000 lakh indirect jobs.
The state is committed to treating large and small industries equally, ensuring the inclusion of women, marginalised communities, and other stakeholders in this approach, the minister said.
In 2021, 85,000 industrial enterprises were registered in Kerala, and this number has now increased to 1.685 million, with approximately 48% owned by women entrepreneurs.
An aero-defence and drone industrial cluster will be set up in Thiruvananthapuram, close to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and ISRO, aiming to increase Kerala’s potential in the defence sector.
Utilising the potential of Malabar, a Biotech and Life Sciences Campus, an ESDM (Electronic System Design and Manufacturing) and Power Electronics Campus will be established as part of the Kozhikode-Malappuram Industrial Cluster.
In addition, Arena Malabar (Kerala Sports Metropolis) will come up as a multi-sectoral mega project integrating sports, industry and healthcare, serving as a comprehensive healthcare centre for athletes besides a facility for manufacturing sports equipment.
A Kannur-Kasaragod industrial corridor is also being envisioned in an area of over 2,000 acres focusing on sectors such as Fintech, IT-ITeS, AI and robotics, handlooms and logistics. A mega food processing park in Kollam will focus on value addition of spices, seafood, coconut products and cashew products.