Minister for Industries, Commerce, IT and AI, P K Kunhalikutty addressing industry representatives during a ‘consultation with industry stakeholders’ organised by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (KSIDC). Also seen are Arun K. Vijayan, Managing Director, KSIDC, and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, and APM Mohammed Hanish, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & Commerce.
Kerala is set to roll out three major initiatives—the Investment Advisory Council, Invest Kerala Cell and Kerala Desks abroad—as part of the government’s 100-day programme, Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty has said.Addressing industry representatives at a stakeholder consultation organized by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (KSIDC), the Minister said the government is working on a comprehensive investment ecosystem to transform the State from a remittance-dependent economy into an investment-led growth model.He said industry stakeholders will be consulted before the initiatives are finalised. The proposed measures are expected to be implemented through executive orders and legislative interventions.The government is also taking steps to establish a Board and a Council for investment promotion, while giving the highest priority to Ease of Doing Business reforms, he added.The Minister assured investors that projects announced under the Invest Kerala initiative will continue as planned and that the State’s industrial investment policies will remain consistent despite the change in government.Arun K. Vijayan, Managing Director, KSIDC, and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, said the proposed industrial framework is aimed at making Kerala an attractive destination for investments across all segments, from large industrial projects to MSMEs, besides encouraging Non-resident Keralites (NRKs) to participate in the state’s economic growth.The Investment Advisory Council, to be chaired by the Chief Minister, will provide strategic policy guidance and serve as a structured platform for industry leaders to present recommendations directly to the government. The council will include ministers, senior bureaucrats and representatives from industry and academia, he said.The Invest Kerala Cell, to be housed within KSIDC, will act as a single-point contact for investors for offering end-to-end handholding through dedicated relationship managers. The cell will assist investors with land identification, statutory clearances, financing support, project facilitation and coordination across government departments. It will also develop a pipeline of investment-ready projects and create a database of available public land and business opportunities, he said.To strengthen overseas engagement, the government plans to establish Kerala Desks abroad in Dubai, London, New York, Singapore and Tokyo. These offices will promote Kerala as an investment destination and encourage the state’s global diaspora to channel capital into investments rather than supporting the state solely by remittances.APM Mohammed Hanish, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & Commerce, said the Kerala desks abroad need to be restructured to serve as channels for directing investments to Kerala. The proposed Investment Promotion Board, chaired by the Chief Minister, will have statutory powers, helping address concerns and streamline approvals across various government departments, he added.Published on July 29, 2026
