Kochi: Kerala has gained in the State Investment Potential Index 2018 based on six pillars of land, labour, infrastructure, economic climate, political stability and governance and business perception.
A survey by the National Council of Applied Economic Research presented at ASCEND Kerala 2019 here on Monday placed the state fourth after Gujarat, Haryana and West Bengal.
“The perception driven pillar is a unique component of the N-SIPI which focuses on the policy and structural backdrop that determines the business environment,” NCAER director-general Dr Shekhar Shah said after releasing its Kerala-specific findings.
Planning board vice-chair V.K. Ramachandran said the state should look beyond "health, education, water, greenery etc."
"The government intends to add manufacturing as a synonym of Kerala," he said. "The depth of the home market can be leveraged."
Invest India vice-president Dushyant Thakur spelt out ten investment strategies for Kerala - translating sustainable development goals into projects; asset recycling; aftercare and business models.
"The business model in Kerala is unlike any other, Israel being possibly the only parallel in the areas of innovation and startup," he said.
"Aftercare is one critical aspect that states generally don't pay attention to."
Aeka Biochemicals managing director Aardra Chandramouli recounted her experiences as a startup entrepreneur in Kerala.
"The government has given thrust to biotech and green initiatives. The state is environmentally aware with an educated customer base that accepts technology-driven products and processes," she said.
NavAlt Solar and Electric Boats CEO Sandith Thandasherry said India's first solar ferry 'Aditya' has plied over 40,000 km and carried over 6.5 lakh people in two years, in the process preventing 150 tonnes of carbon emission.
The manufacturing sector in Kerala needs an exemption from hartals, he added.
