Hon’ble Prime Minister of
India Dr. Manmohan Singhji, His Excellency the Governor of Kerala Dr. H. R. Bhardwaj,
Union Ministers, my Cabinet Colleagues, Diplomats, Business Leaders, Media,
Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
|
Our state is known for its
egalitarian society, its communal harmony, law and order, friendly people and
abundant scenic beauty giving us the widely acclaimed name ‘God’s Own Country’. We are rightly proud of our achievements in
the fields of literacy, health and human development indices on par with the
developed world.
Located at the southern
tip of the Indian sub-continent, Kerala is one of the fast growing centres of
economic activities in India. The proximity to international air and sea routes
makes Kerala accessible from all parts of the world. We have a good network of roads,
three international airports with two more under development, number of sea
ports including India’s first International Container Transshipment Terminal and
excellent data and telecom connectivity throughout the state.
While having such
facilities, we recognize that such facilities alone will not bring investment
and investors. Unlike in the past, we also recognize our weaknesses and
limitations in areas where we are yet to realize our full potential.
The
Government of Kerala has a clear development agenda. Our commitment to the
people of Kerala is Development and Care. Our objective is to achieve sustainable
and inclusive economic growth. We want each and every individual in Kerala to participate
in the development process. We want projects which are people oriented; projects
which create employment opportunities in the State; and projects which are environment
friendly.
Based on our vision of
Development and Care, we are focusing on certain core sectors for the
sustainable development of the State. A large number of project proposals
proposed by the Government of Kerala and by several amongst you are going to be
discussed in this forum. I assure you that the Government would support,
handhold and provide speedy clearances to all such proposals that are people
friendly, environment friendly, which contribute to Kerala’s growth and
complies with the law of the land. We would do so in the most transparent and
timely manner, without taking any short-cuts on any of the critical issues such
as environment, law and / or the quality of human life in Kerala.
Emerging Kerala is not a one-off
event. It is part of a process for creating a climate for investment. This is
part of the approach of the nation and the State to the 12th Plan. We are conscious of the fact that we have to
work hard over a period of many years to attract and sustain investment. Our objective
is to present to the world about the quality and quantity of business opportunities
available in Kerala for investment and the mechanisms and processes that are in
place to convert these opportunities into reality. Emerging Kerala is all about
deepening and intensifying the already deep global and national connect of
Kerala. This is an expression of the collective will of our people to scale
greater heights beyond the successes in achieving social goals.
I take this opportunity to
thank our Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhji for the approval of Union
Cabinet for the prestigious Kochi Metro Rail Project. This would not have been
possible but for
the decisive role played by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
I note with pride that Kochi is the only non-metro city in the country where
such metro rail is going to be built with equity participation by the
Government of India. We remember with gratitude to Government of India for
having sanctioned India’s first International Container Trans-shipment Terminal
in Kochi and the recent decision by the Union Cabinet to exempt this terminal
from constraining Cabotage
regulations in our Country. Thank
you Hon’ble Prime Minister.
We, in our families, have invested heavily in
our younger generations since they are our most precious resource. They need
opportunities right here in Kerala and right now. We do not have any more time
to wait. We realize that words or ideology alone will not get us either
Investors or Investment. It is no longer a time for vain words but for bold
constructive act. 12th September, 2012, today, is truly a day of
history in making for Kerala. It is a new beginning where the People and
Government of Kerala are communicating to the whole world of the opportunities
in Kerala – We are telling the world at large that we warmly welcome investors.
I believe that for Kerala to emerge as a strong
and vibrant economy, we have to emerge from within and empower our talented
youngsters to be job creators and not job seekers. It requires a paradigm shift
in our society. To facilitate such a shift and encourage entrepreneurship
amongst the students in Kerala, we will be putting in place a landmark Student
Entrepreneurship Policy in the State where any Student who works to create
knowledge, innovation, wealth and jobs in our Society at or through any Government
of India recognized Incubators will be given 20% attendance and 4% Grace Marks
in the Academic Course he or she attends. We expect this will give the Students
time to pursue entrepreneurship and innovation during their studies and unleash
the intellectual power of the youngsters towards entrepreneurship.
I
wish to stress again that “Emerging Kerala” is not just an investors’ meet. It is a
platform for opinion makers and policy providers to sit together and ponder
over ways to make Kerala the most desirable, the most happening and the most
eco-friendly human habitat on earth. I wish all participants to this event a
very useful and fruitful three days of such deliberations. This should mark a
beginning of an exercise to build a more industrious, prosperous, equitable,
environment friendly and bountiful state of Kerala in an equally prosperous and
vibrant India.
Our Government is serious. Our Government will
hold firm. Our Government will effect change with transparency. Our Government
will reform. Our Government will protect environment and rule of law. Our
Government will encourage entrepreneurship amongst the youngsters in Kerala and
I assure you that the State Government will extend full support to committed
investors who come to Kerala to invest in Kerala within the framework of the
law of the land.
Once again, I extend a very warm welcome to all of you to
God’s
Own Country!
Jai Hind.
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