Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has highlighted the need for transforming the younger generation from being job seekers to job creators in order to make a strong and vibrant economy. It would require a revolutionary change in society, he said. He was inaugurating TiECon 2012, a two-day conference of entrepreneurs, investors and mentors, organised by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) here on Thursday.
“Our youth has to become more confident; parents and leaders of society have to support youngsters to take risks and our society has to accept failures in businesses which do happen in a competitive world,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister said the State had the lowest number of man days lost due to labour issues in South India.
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“Yet, we are still perceived as being a difficult State to work in. We are conscious of the fact that we have to work hard over a period of many years to change this negative perception about investments and work in Kerala.”
The government will support, and provide speedy clearances to all proposals that are people friendly, environment friendly, which contribute to Kerala’s growth and comply with the law of the land. In a bid to encourage entrepreneurship, the government has launched a Student Entrepreneurship Policy in the State where any student who works to create knowledge, innovation, wealth and jobs in the State or through any Government of India recognised incubators will be given 20 per cent attendance and 4 per cent grace marks in their course.
Entrepreneurs can play the most important role in sending the right message of a changed Kerala to the investment community in India and abroad. He urged all stakeholders to carry the positive message that the State is a changed place for investment.
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Ashok Rao, chairman, TiE Global, in his address, said the government and environment were two factors that decided the fate of entrepreneurship. Unnecessary regulations would drive entrepreneurs away, he said. He also urged the Chief Minister to consider forming a ministry for entrepreneurship.
Kanwal Rekhi, founder trustee, TiE, John K. Paul, president, TiE Kerala, A.V. George, vice-president, TiE Kerala, S. Vasudevan, general manager, State Bank of Travancore, S.R. Nair, chairman, programme committee, TiECon, spoke.