Fast-emerging robotics will expand job opportunities: Minister Rajeeve
Allied sectors will rise, needing recruitments, Minister tells Robotics Round Table
Kochi / August 23, 2024
Kochi, Aug. 23: Rapid emergence of robotics will increase job opportunities in Kerala, belying a general notion that machines replace human labour, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir Shri P Rajeeve said here today.
As new-age technologies are broadening, their implementation leads to the emergence of allied sectors that would require robots to carry out the work, he noted after declaring open the landmark Robotics Round Table in the city.
“What we see in Kerala is rising application of robotics in socially beneficial endeavours. This implies their stronger use in the coming years,” the minister said at the opening session of the day-long event organised by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) under the aegis of the Department of Industries and Commerce, at Grand Hyatt in Bolgatty Island.
The roundtable, which seeks to boost the government’s efforts to make Kerala a global destination for innovative technology, began with the inauguration of an exhibition featuring 35 stalls. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Principal Secretary (Industries and Commerce) Shri A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish.
Shri Rajeeve pointed out that Kerala’s New Industrial Policy (2023) gives prominence to the state’s development as a knowledge economy. “We are striving to bring more investments into sectors that focus on improved facilities for common people. The results are showing in the encouraging number of Kerala startups engaged in social development,” he pointed out.
Asserting that Kerala already enjoys an upper hand in the digital sector, he said, “We have an impressive track record in e-governance, digitised banking, mobile internet connectivity. Not surprisingly, the state has the best startup ecosystem in the country.”
Shri Hanish said the government’s prime objective has been to woo investors to the startups in the state.
Noting that IEDCs (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centres) merit stronger financial grants for commercial application of innovative concepts, he said Kerala has been working to meet the requirements from robotics, which is fast developing. “We ensure monetary, social and administrative support to the sector,” the official added.
KSIDC Managing Director Shri S. Harikishore, also Director, Department of Industries and Commerce, said the roundtable focuses on the sector of AI and Robotics listed 19th under the 22 priority sectors of the state in the New Industrial Policy.
“Today’s event is the third in the government’s series of mission which seeks to bolster the links between the state and the innovative technology sector so as to facilitate a suitable ecosystem,” he said, welcoming the gathering.
Other speakers at the ceremony were KSIDC Chairman Shri Paul Antony, Executive Director Shri Hari Krishnan R, KINFRA Managing Director Shri Santhosh Koshy Thomas, Kerala Startup Mission CEO Shri Anoop Ambika, and Dr Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Technical University and Digital University of Kerala.
Armada AI Vice President Prag Mishra, Industrial AI Accenture MD Derick Jose also spoke on the occasion.
This was followed by three rounds led by ten experts from various parts of the world helming discussions on what Kerala can expect on becoming a hub for robotics technology. A total 195 startups attended the event, which had more than 400 delegates.
Today’s round table comes in continuation of last month’s opening event – an International Conclave on Gen AI held in association with IBM at Kochi. A subsequent Conclave on Continuing Investments was attended by 300 entrepreneurs who had brought in an overall investment of Rs 12,000 crore in past three years.
Recently, the KSIDC had hosted a roadshow in Chennai for investors. More such roadshows will be held in Mumbai, Delhi, Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The finale of the series will be a Global Investor Meet in Kochi in February next year.
ENDS
