Kerala State
To focus more on its newer industries
Kerala will promote newer industries like IT, bio-technology and tourism, new state Industry Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said Tuesday, 14th June,2011. 'Given the scheme of things that prevails here, manufacturing sector may not be that successful because of various factors and hence it would be better if we concentrate on newer areas. One thing is very clear that we will have clear-cut policies for all what we will do and there will be no policy on a case by case basis,' said Kunhalikutty, addressing the media here for the first time after becoming Industries Minister for the third time.The state has slipped badly from one of the top positions in the country in 2006 to the 16th position in 2009 according to a recent study of the World Bank, he said.'Lots of opportunities were lost especially in the IT sector because of the inordinate delay in the proposed Smart City IT Project at Kochi by the previous Left government. We are nowhere in the list of IT development with a meager turnover as compared to other states,' he said. Kunhalikutty confirmed that he would be meeting with Smart City Dubai officials on June 23, who are to build the Rs.1,500 crore Smart City Kochi, a planned IT township in Kochi. As one of the first steps in this regard, he has asked for a complete review of all the state public sector enterprises. ‘The review would be done very fast and during the review one aspect that would be looked into is the backdoor appointments made during the fag end of the previous Left government in these PSUs,' he said. Kerala may also undertake another Global Investors Meet as a similar meet was held by the previous Congress-led United Democratic Front (2001-06), he added. ‘This is a policy decision and hence I alone can't make an announcement to this effect and very soon one can hear about what we intend to do,' said Kunhalikutty, while pointing out that the Governor's address is expected to take place later this month.
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