Govt Policy Enhances Investors’ Trust in Kerala: Minister P Rajeeve

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Investment- friendly policies adopted by the state Government have transformed Kerala into a preferred destination for diverse enterprises with the investors’ trust increasing substantially in the industrial ecosystem now prevailing in the state, Minister for Industries, Coir and Law P Rajeeve said today.

The Minister was addressing the Sectoral Meeting on “Recycling, Waste Management and Green Entrepreneurship” organised by KSIDC in the build up to the Invest Kerala Global Summit to be held next year in Kochi.

“We had recently assigned IIM Indore to conduct a study on the prevailing industrial climate of Kerala and its report mentioned that MSMEs now consider this government as a parental figure as the trust in the government has increased vastly due to the industry- friendly policies adopted in the last one year,” the Minister said.

Explaining on the policy changes and institutional back-ups that enabled Kerala to achieve the top performer spot in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ from the 26th position, Rajeeve said “the Year of Enterprises initiative saw more than 3 lakh enterprises taking off in Kerala in last one year alone,” the Minister said.

Referring to various supports extended by the government to new investors, he said “ICAI(Institution of Chartered Accounts Association of India), offered free service for the first year after the establishment of units for preparing GST returns and financial statements.

The Minister also cited the amendments made to some industry laws that made a huge difference in attracting investments.

Noting that waste management and recycling offered plenty of business opportunities, especially for green enterprises, the Minister said it is vital to leverage new technologies and smart solutions in this sector.

“Sustainable waste management and recycling is one of the investment sectors prioritised by the government. Already there are enterprises that are leveraging such possibilities and we expect more firms to enter this sector in the coming days,” Rajeeve said.

Setting the context for the meeting, Harikishore S, Managing Director, KSIDC, said this sectoral session was intended to encourage investment in waste management enterprises and getting feedback from the investors and stakeholders.

The Government has drawn up a sectoral policy for green enterprises, which aims to promote innovation, startups and creation of infrastructure with government supports, Harikishore said.

KSIDC Executive Director Hari Krishnan R welcomed the participants to the meet. Suchitwa Mission Executive Director U V Jose was among those present.

The meeting brought together different verticals in this sector including Suchitwa Kerala Mission, Haritha Karma Sena, Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP), Clean Kerala Company and KSIDC’s Waste to Energy project etc, said Harikishore.

A panel discussion on Possibilities and Opportunities in Waste Management, Recycling and Green Entrepreneurship in the modern technological era followed the inaugural function, which was moderated by Sudeep. P. Nair, Executive Director, K-DISC.

George E George, Founder Director, CREDAI Clean City Movement, Ernakulam; Jayson Paul, Executive Director, Antony Lara Enviro Solutions Pvt Ltd, Mumbai; P C Harikesh, Project Director, Waste to Energy Project, KSIDC took part in the panel discussion.

The panellists emphasised the need for adopting decentralised mode for effective waste management. Adoption of scientific, sustainable and responsible practices is vital in this sector, they opined.

Green enterprises have a key role in enhancing the waste management capacity of Kerala, which turns out around 11,000 ton of waste per day, they said.

Varghese Malakkaran, General Manager, KSIDC, proposed a vote of thanks.