Govt. focuses on knowledge-based industries, says P Rajeeve

Minister speaks at panel session at GenAI Conclave

Kochi / July 12, 2024

Kochi, July 12: Industries Minister Shri P Rajeeve today said the government is focusing on knowledge-based industries to strengthen the ecosystem by attracting investment and creating job opportunities for youth, and stressed the crucial need for pushing forward the momentum in technological initiatives.

The minister was speaking at a panel session on “Government Initiatives for Investment Promotion” at the country’s first International Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) at Lulu Grand Hyatt Bolgatty International Convention Centre here.

The July 11-12 flagship event is organised by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in collaboration with IBM.  

Noting that the government is trying to transform the state into a knowledge society and economy, Shri Rajeeve said the government initiatives are aimed at transforming Kerala into an investment-friendly state by attracting investments from all sectors.

“The Industrial Policy 2023 has been adopted by recognising the advantages and limitations of the state. Our major strength is IT-skilled human resources and the Industrial Policy has identified 22 priority sectors like AI, Blockchain, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Robotics, tourism and logistics,” he pointed out.

The minister said the government has taken path-breaking steps for attracting investments by implementing initiatives like streamlining and simplifying licensing process for entrepreneurs through K-SWIFT.

He further stated that within eight months, the state government has given 22 permits for setting up private industrial parks, describing it as a great achievement.

Shri Rajeeve highlighted the campus industrial parks in colleges and providing grace marks for students as the novel initiatives of the government to strengthen the startup ecosystem.

Shri A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary, (Industries), who made an elaborate presentation on Kerala’s AI ecosystem, said the Industries Department promotes AI-enabled solutions in key sectors, besides establishing AI Enablement Centres to support SMEs. 

“The government has taken a highly investment-friendly approach. The seven focus pillars of Industrial Policy 2023 are entrepreneurship, infrastructure, hi-tech transition, skill development, brand equity, business environment and sectoral industrialisation,” he said. 

Noting that future-ready skilled workforce is one of the strengths of Kerala which has industry-academia collaboration as a unique model, he said robust startup ecosystem, women-empowerment, skills in healthcare and a large diaspora ensure the state’s skilled future workforce.

Shri Hanish said based on the aspects of creating best-in-class infrastructure and responsible investment agenda, various incentives have been given for industries, with a focus on sustainable and hi-tech sectors.

In his presentation, Dr Rathan U Kelkar, Secretary, Electronics & IT, said as a forward strategy, Kerala is set to contribute to 10 percent of India’s IT and electronics industry in the next five years. Also, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN can be attained through digital technologies.

Commenting on Bio-IT, he said Kerala Genome Data Centre (KGDC) would be the repository of all genetic data of Kerala and it is expected to be the backbone that will connect over 125 Life Sciences institutions in the state.  Also, an AI-powered high capacity data centre is being set up in the Digital University of Kerala.  

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