“We can term Kerala as an investment un-friendly state if we are to look at the conditions that prevailed here 25 years ago,” Chief Secretary K Jayakumar has said.
He was speaking at the discussion organised by the Kerala Management Association (KMA) on whether the state was investment friendly, here on Monday.
Jayakumar said that the government has initiated steps for making the state more investment friendly as discussed in the ‘Emerging Kerala’ meet.
“The ‘Emerging Kerala’ meet marks the beginning of a new chapter for the state and the road to prosperity. The meet was a platform for investors to exchange views about Kerala as a preferred investment destination. Around 2,800 delegates responded positively to our call and attended the meet,” he said.
Jayakumar opined that while looking from an investment point of view, Kerala is not behind other states which have been termed as investment friendly.
“We have sensible, enlightened and skilled labour in the state.
“Even though there are labour unions here, the labourers themselves are well aware of their rights and exploiting them is impossible. While comparing the infrastructure, we are equally good as the other states. But we have to develop it further.
“We have a society that is appreciated and respected worlwide. Beyond that, we also have a young population that is highly educated, sensible and daring enough to take risks.
“For tapping the potential of our youth and preventing the brain-drain, the government has started new projects here. The media is also powerful that no government can do anything in secret and the bureaucratic procedures are transparent,” he pointed out.
According to Jayakumar, the government is making attempts to formulate laws that support investment.
“An Investment Clearance Board will be formed under the Chief Secretary for scrutinising the investment projects. A Standing Committee will also be formed to look into the investment inflow to the state.
“The government will act as the development facilitator and the private sector will implement the projects. The tourism sector has witnessed a boom with public-private participation,” he added.KMA president S R Nair and honorary secretary Rajan George also spoke.
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