(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Kerala should develop infrastructure, promote skill-based education and focus on startups to make the south Indian state a sought-after investment destination and drive growth, UAE-based entrepreneurs said during the two-day TiEcon convention held in Kochi.
Universal Hospital managing director Dr Shabeer Nellikode said Kerala is a socially-developed state but misses basic infrastructure.
"We have the best minds. We are also blessed with great leadership in state and centre. We just need to put our thoughts together. We need to develop highways, airports and ports, and this will bring in more business. If Kochi has a better regional connectivity network then up to 23 per cent of Bengaluru's IT business would move there," Dr Nellikode said.
He said the south Indian state can follow on footsteps of Finland and Estonia, countries that have become a tourism hub.
"We are in the same latitude and longitude with Singapore and Malaysia. Kerala needs to develop its tourist spots."
He pointed out how the world's leading startup event, Slush, will be held in Helsinki on November 30.
"Kerala can be a kitchen for startups. There are young and educated minds," he noted.
Dr Nellikode said Kerala can be a key player in tourism, healthcare and cybersecurity, among others.
Meanwhile, Emircom chief financial officer Ajayya Kumar said the state should focus on developing skills and innovativeness.
"Even non-resident Keralites are unwilling to invest in the state. This situation has to change."
Kumar noted Kerala was an important trading centre from the fifth century AD. And the quality of products was such that Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama had failed to impress the then Kozhikode ruler with his merchandise. "However, in the pre-colonial era and British rule, Keralites produced goods only as per market requirements and there was no innovation. After independence too, a socialist mindset meant there wasn't a thought to promote businesses," he said. "Despite the best brains, there was dearth of fresh ideas coming from the state. And then the Gulf migration saw Kerala become a consumer state. From being in great demand globally, today Kerala is fighting hard to woo investors."
Kumar noted steps should be taken to unlock Kerala's true potential by developing startups. "We need to invest in technology-driven startups," Kumar added.
Aster DM Healthcare managing director Dr Azad Moopen was among the list of speakers, which included politician Shashi Tharoor, Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi and Pepperfry.com CEO Ambareesh Murty. Kerala's largest entrepreneurs' convention TiEcon Kerala 2017 is a platform to unlock endless possibilities the state can offer.
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Ashwani Kumar
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