Thiruvananthapuram: Doyens of Indian industry have pledged their support to help Kerala take giant strides to develop industry without compromising on its natural beauty.
In a special industry session, part of the ‘Kerala Looks Ahead’ international conference, on Wednesday, the tycoons acknowledged the new investor-friendly climate in the state
In the virtual summit organized by the State Planning Board, they industry big wigs identified information technology, education, healthcare and tourism as the sectors that could be promoted vigorously.
Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata, chairperson of Tata Trusts, said Kerala’s industrial development may not have been as aggressive as elsewhere due to a desire to keep the state beautiful.
He expressed hope that the global conference would help the state evolve a sensible industrial development policy without spoiling its beauty.
Azim Premji
Azim Premji, founder chairperson, Wipro Ltd, praised the state’s sustained commitment to human capacity development and empowerment of the local government institutions.
“In many aspects of economic development, Kerala has excelled. With this kind of base, which is almost like a developed country, Kerala’s economic growth can skyrocket,” he said.
He also mentioned the state’s education and public health systems that have been functioning effectively.
“The kind of deep community-based campaign for handling covid pandemic can be a model for all the states. Whether it is health or education or local governance, we have to learn a lot from your state,” he said.
Anand Mahindra
Holding that the future of businesses is dependent on conformity to sustainability goals, Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group, said given its core strengths, Kerala can emerge a global hub for an entire spectrum of ‘green businesses’.
“The state has a pro-active government, investor- friendly policies and a very clear vision of the future. So, Kerala wake up. You can be not just India’s hub but a global hub for green businesses,” Mahindra said.
“It is in the businesses of the future that the future of Kerala lies. A tectonic shift is taking place in the way businesses engage with goals of sustainability. Businesses can no longer afford to prioritize profit over planet,” he said.
Mahindra said the firm’s foray into tourism hospitality business was born in the state.
Electrical mobility and agricultural modernization are the other areas that Mahindra group will continue to engage with Kerala, he said.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson, Biocon Ltd, made a strong case for Kerala to invest significantly in life sciences.
Mentioning Cochin Cancer Research Institute in Ernakulam and Regional Cancer Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, she said the two emerging centres have a great potential in leading the world in cancer research.
By using the skills in technology, medtech can also be an important opportunity for Kerala. “In cancer research and medtech, Kerala can take the premier position in the country,” she said.
Kris Gopalakrishnan
Kris Gopalakrishnan, chairman of Axilor Ventures, suggested setting up world-class virtual educational institutions and training centres to take full advantage of the emerging industrial atmosphere where every household can be a production centre for small, medium and large industrial units.
Kerala should take the initiative to aggregate all hotels and lodging facilities available in the state on a single platform on lines of the taxi aggregators to optimize the benefits of tourism, he said.
The state should also become a hub of 5G technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and biotechnology, he added
M.A. Yusuf Ali
M.A. Yusuf Ali, chairperson of Lulu Group, announced his company has already pumped ₹15,000 crore into various sectors in the state.
Lulu now has plans to invest ₹8,000 crore more as Kerala has the potential to emerge as a leading state in IT, healthcare, hospitality, food processing, medical equipment, electronics and a wide range of other sectors, Ali said.
He suggested that the state remove the 15-acre ceiling for industrial units and the setting up of an export promotion council.
He lauded the state government’s efforts to give a major push to infrastructure development.
B. Ravi Pillai
Dr B. Ravi Pillai, managing director of RP Group, said it would be good if Kerala, like China, gives permission to start business in a period less than two months of application.
Kerala can focus on strengthening four segments: knowledge-based business, healthcare, tourism and rubber-based industry, he said.
Knowledge-based IT hubs should graduate from being back-office data-processing centres, he said.
The state can become a hub for artificial intelligence and mobility solutions based on clean energy, he added.
Azad Moopen
Dr Azad Moopen, chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, asked the government to facilitate full use of the 42 perennial rivers in Kerala by allowing water bottling companies to market these waters.
At present, waters of these rivers were going waste, he said.
Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government would consider the suggestion to set up an export promotion council to market the state’s products globally.
The chief minister also said the state offered plenty of opportunities for investment and invited industry leaders to be partners in the state’s journey.
Vijayan said the state has its task set for 10 years to ensure sustainable, environment-friendly growth, and high levels of skill development.
The conclave served as an occasion to showcase Kerala’s initiatives to build a modern industrial sector, harnessing the skills and enterprises within the state.