Kerala to focus on innovation, sustainability build on Ease of Doing Business achievements: Governor Arlekar in policy addres-OxBig News Network

Traditional weavers at a weaving unit in Chendamangalam near Kochi, Kerala. The ‘Year of Enterprises’ initiative to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises will be taken forward with the Mission 1000 programme to elevate MSMEs into high-revenue businesses.
| Photo Credit: H. Vibhu

Intending to build on Kerala’s top-achiever status in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings, the State government will be emphasising innovation, sustainability and inclusive economic growth this year, Governor Rajendra Arlekar said in his policy address in the Kerala Assembly on Friday (January 17, 2025).

One of the major initiatives in the industrial sector this year will be the Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025, to be held on February 21 and 22 in Kochi under the theme ‘Responsible Investment, Responsible Industry’. Bringing together global leaders, investors and policymakers, the summit will seek to highlight the State’s investor-friendly ecosystem and focus on responsible, long-term growth.

Partnering with nine countries, the event seeks to foster global collaboration and attract high-value investments, said Mr. Arlekar. Sectoral discussions will be held in areas such as artificial intelligence, life sciences, food technology and renewable energy. Roadshows will be held in major cities and international hubs.

File picture of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
| Photo Credit:
Nirmal Harindran

The Governor also mentioned that the ‘Year of Enterprises’ initiative to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises will be taken forward with the Mission 1000 programme to elevate MSMEs into high-revenue businesses.

Under the Labour and Skills Development department, the government will launch the Karmachari Project, providing students with part-time job opportunities to support their educational expenses. The National Employment Service will modernise employment exchanges in Kozhikode and Thrissur and launch a dedicated private job portal to expand employment opportunities.

Under the Electronics and IT Department, a Centralised Security Operations Centre will be established to combat cyber threats against e-governance systems. A cloud facility for AI/ML applications in e-governance will also be established. KFON, the government’s Internet project, plans to add one lakh connections every six months.

The forthcoming IT policy, said Mr. Arlekar, will prioritise building an inclusive ecosystem, leveraging digital technologies for economic and social progress.