Keralam Industries Minister P.K.Kunhalikutty inaugurates CII Industry Vision summit.
The CII Industry Vision Summit has stressed the need for Keralam to leverage technology, skilled talent, sustainability, global connectivity and innovation to build a competitive and future-ready economy.Highlighting the strategic importance of Vizhinjam International Seaport, State Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said enhanced global connectivity would create new export opportunities for artisans and MSMEs. He urged industries to move beyond conventional practices and adopt emerging technologies.Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Keralam, the summit brought together industry and government stakeholders to discuss emerging opportunities and strategies for Keralam’s future economic growth.Arun K. Vijayan, Managing Director, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, said the government was focusing on 22 priority sectors and stressed the need for a cluster-based approach to industrial development. Keralam’s strengths in skilled manpower, defence technology, research and healthcare should be leveraged more effectively, he said, while calling for greater utilisation of the State’s diaspora network. Keralam’s ESG policy, he added, would provide an advantage in accessing global markets.Joseph M. Kallivayalil, Chairman, CII Keralam State Council, presented the CII recommendations document to the Minister. He identified the Mission Samudra project, critical mineral opportunities in South Keralam and the State’s four international airports as key drivers of a port-led and globally connected economy. He also welcomed the integration of K-SWIFT and K-SMART and the government’s plantation policy reforms.Calling for greater focus on emerging sectors such as sports and adventure tourism, the silver economy and AI-enabled governance, Kallivayalil proposed a vision of having an AI assistant in every government office by 2030.Published on August 21, 2026
