The year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSDIC) got off on a promising note that should augur well to shed the image of anti-industry tag of the State and draw back investors with a slew of incentives and lucrative programmes.
The State Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, announced the Government's new slogan of “Emerging Kerala 2012” to restore the earlier image of being an investment-friendly destination while the Industries Minister, Mr P K Kunhalikutty, unfolded several special incentives to entrepreneurs including waiving of the processing fee of Rs 75,000 hitherto charged by the KSIDC for term loan finances.
A special two per cent rebate for NRI and domestic investors on loans, and signing of a MoU between Kerala and TCS for setting up of a Rs1,000-crore global training academy at Technocity, Thiruvananthapuram also marked the kicking off celebrations.
The Chief Minister said that his Government will adopt a transparent approach by accommodating the views of all sections of the society and implement the Emerging Kerala 2012 programme. Kerala could not miss any more opportunities in its developmental stride, he said, adding that its policies would be cast in such a way that the benefits of the State's economic and industrial development percolated to all sections of the society.
Kerala, which was second only to Karnataka among southern States as investment friendly destinations according to the 2005 World Bank study boosted by the Global Investor Meet organised by the then UDF Government in 2003, was again pulled far down in the Bank's 2008 study, due to various reasons. This is an eye opener for the current Government and it is very serious on restoring the same image of the past in which “right to quality service” will also be ensured, the Chief Minister said.
Mr Kunhalikutty said the Government would give emphasis on “Kerala specific” model of development by protecting its ecology and environment. He also announced certain special incentives to entrepreneurs, as part of the KSIDC Golden jubilee year.
Mr T.K.A.Nair, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary and KSIDC Chairman for the past ten years, called upon Kerala to emulate countries such as Singapore, Korea and Japan which have forged ahead in industrial and economic development in spite of deficiencies akin to Kerala in land scarcity, high population growth, mounting labour cost and raw material shortages.
Promotion of industrial and food processing activities that consume a high share of the State's own agri-based raw materials such as rubber, coconut, spices and fisheries would be more suited for the State, he said.
Honouring of 50 successful entrepreneurs and MDs of the last 5 decades at KSIDC besides awarding scholarship to 50 girl students drawn from the BPL category covering all the 14 districts of the State also marked the golden jubilee year launch.