The managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, Mr Tom Jose, has said that Kerala has advanced social infrastructure but it lacks physical infrastructure.
He was inaugurating a seminar on ‘Infrastructure – Key to business growth' organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kochi, and Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah. He said that the first phase of Kochi Metro Rail would be completed in four years once the final signal is received.
“The State has highly developed and accomplished social infrastructure in many sectors compared with other States. We have progressed well to imbibe the best international practices in sectors such as health and education,” Mr Jose said.
“We somehow lack the determination to accomplish the same sort of comfort levels with regard to physical infrastructure essential to wealth creation,” he added.
Over a period, the governments have been stressing on the importance of development in areas such as highways and bridges. Many projects are still in different stages of implementation, Mr Jose said.
Mr Rashid Al Leem, director-general, Sharjah Ports, Customs and Sharjah Free Zones said that sustainability is the key to inclusive business growth. He offered special incentives for the members of the Chamber for investing in the Hamriyah and Sharjah free zones.
Mr Prakash James, president, ICCI, presided over the meeting. Mr Mohamed Basheer of Hamriyah Free Zone, Mr Nishesh Shah, vice-president, and Mr S. Ramakrishnan, secretary, ICCI, spoke.