The government is rolling out an ambitious programme to make Kerala a preferred destination for investment in electronics systems design and manufacture (ESDM) by 2020.
The proposal, a major component of the Kerala Industrial and Commercial Policy (Amended)-2015 cleared by the State Cabinet on Wednesday, seeks to set up manufacturing units for the electronics industry in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, and Kannur by providing capital subsidy.
The policy includes plans to develop Industrial Development Zones (IDZ) around the logistics hubs of Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and the upcoming international airport in Kannur for manufacturing industries, agro-based industries, textiles, gems and jewellery.
It also proposes the establishment of a Knowledge City on the Technocity campus in Thiruvananthapuram to promote knowledge-based industries on public private partnership (PPP) mode.
Highlighting the need to promote eco-friendly practices and green initiatives, the policy stresses the need to relocate polluting industries from cities and urban areas, establish industrial clusters with common facilities such as effluent treatment plants and promote environment-friendly modes of transportation such as CNG- powered vehicles.
It proposes a Rs.100-crore green financing scheme to channelise investments in green and clean industries.
Emphasizing the need to develop a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, the policy calls for an online system to remove the regulatory constraints for setting up new enterprises.
A 30 per cent investment subsidy will be provided for women entrepreneurs to establish industrial units.
It also prescribes a participatory approach involving all stakeholders right from the initial phase of investment.
Manufacturing units mooted in State capital, Alappuzha, Kannur
Plans to develop Industrial Development Zones