Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has proposed a chamber of commerce for expatriate businessmen to channel their funds into profitable and job-generating mercantile ventures in Kerala.
His valedictory address at the conclusion of the first Loka Kerala Sabha here on Saturday focussed sharply on fresh initiatives to link the financial interests of the vast diaspora of Keralites with their home State’s ambitious development agenda.
He sought deposits from emigrants to create a Kerala Development Fund. It would translate as shares in business ventures initiated by the NRIs. Expatriates who invested in the fund could also seek jobs in the industries that it financed when they quit employment abroad.
A new government agency would help emigrants get secure loans to start businesses at home. The State would also establish single window clearance system for NRI investors, he said.
Signalling that Kerala looked forward to harnessing expatriate experience to make meaningful strides in IT, health, technology, environment, education and tourism sectors, Mr Vijayan mooted the formation of sabha committees comprising highly skilled experts, technocrats and business leaders.
He placed high priority on attracting NRI investment to start centralised industrial-scale garbage and waste-water treatment plants in at least seven urban locations in the State.
He promised to start separate region-based cells in the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department to cater to expatriate needs.
Mr. Vijayan mooted the idea of a network of expatriate associations to channel State assistance to the families of those who die abroad. He highlighted the proposed airports at Kannur and Sabarimala as investment hotspots. The terminals would be modelled on CIAL. He invited expatriates to start rest and recuperation centres, and hospitality hubs along State and National Highways.
Kerala needed foreign investment in rubber-based industry. Harvesting solar energy was a top priority. So was water treatment and production of value-added coconut-based commodities.
Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala were present.
