Cochin Chamber Seeks Expansion of Cochin Corporation Limits in Pre-budget Proposal

KOCHI:
Cochin Chamber of Commerce demands expanding Cochin Corporation limits to give a focused approach for development. The Chamber in its pre-budget memorandum, submitted to the Finance Minister argued that while other major towns grew, Kochi has more or less stood still since its formation. Kochi has an area of only 94.88sq km while Trivandrum which had an area of only 30.66 sq km during formation has grown to 214.86 sq km. This will give a focused approach for development.

The Chamber, the only trade body which gets invited even for pre-budget consultations for the national budget has a focused thinking so as to make Kerala grow, the President KHarikumar stated in a press release.

To increase the utilization of Natural Gas in Kerala itself from the recently inaugurated Kochi-Mangalore Gas pipeline the Chamber proposed reduction of VAT from 14.5%. The President stated that Tamil Nadu charges only 4% and this will give an impetus for development and growth.

The chamber also requested a Maritime cluster based at WilligdonIsland at par with leading international maritime centers to be included in the Budget proposal as it was proposed by Government in Ascend 2020. The proposed project seeks to develop core, financial & regulatory and other services (tourism, maritime museum etc.). The Chamber also sought finalization of maritime Rules to facilitate implementation of Maritime Board Act 2017

The chamber while commending the Government for taking proactive steps towards forming a plantation policy. Kerala produces around 48 % of the total plantation crops in India. The State accounts for 76.5 % of rubber, 88.6 % of cardamom, 22.05 % of coffee and 4.54 % of tea produced in the country. Around 3.3 lakh labourers are directly dependant on plantations

On the ease of doing business front, the Chamber requested to make Kerala Industry 4.0 ready. Industry 4.0 is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It includes Cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things and Cloud Computing. Industry 4.0 creates what has been called a “Smart Factory”.

The chamber also demanded governance reforms, representation of more Industry organizations in committees of the Government, a comprehensive and Unified Kerala Public Health Act among some other proposals.

The Chamber President expressed hope that many recommendations, will find a place in the Budget as the Chamber expects a development oriented budget.