Kerala will be turned into a model destination for responsible investment: Industries Minister

P. Rajeeve says Kerala is a safe place with a highly skilled workforce and the government is focussing on how to utilise this effectively with ventures suited for the State

From having a relook at all the laws related to starting an industry in the State to implementing a centralised inspection mechanism and preparing master plans for all the public sector units, the Industries Department has been witnessing much action in the past weeks, which were also filled with controversies. In an interview to The Hindu, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve says that the State government has been moving ahead with several wide-ranging measures with an intent to turn Kerala into a model destination of responsible investment in the country. “The conversation the world over has shifted from ease of doing business to responsible investment. Around one fourth of the investments globally over the past year has happened with a focus on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG). When labour costs increase, especially in the apparel industries which employ unskilled labour, they shift to other locations. Kerala has a brand value of its own globally. It is a safe place with a highly skilled workforce. We are focussing on how to utilise this effectively with ventures suited for the State,” says Mr. Rajeeve.