Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said here on Sunday that the State government would soon announce a fresh declaration that would ensure active participation of Non-Resident Keralites (NoRKs) and Gulf returnees in the industrial and information technology ventures in the State.
Inaugurating the ‘Pravasi Divas' celebration of the Malabar Pravasi Coordination Council (MPCC) at Nalanda Auditorium, Mr. Kunhalikutty said the proposed project would generate more employment opportunities for Gulf returnees and investors in industry. He said the government was aware of the issues concerning expatriates and the areas in which government intervention was required.
The Minister said the policy of the United Democratic Front-led government was in favour of drafting a suitable policy to address the concerns of the pravasi community. It would certainly go ahead with the goal, he affirmed.
Referring to the investment opportunities in the IT sector in Kerala, Mr. Kunhalikutty said the NoRK community should tap the potential with new generation entrepreneurs. “Joint ventures in the sector would provide ample openings to investors,” he said.
The Industries Minister said the government would extend all possible support to new entrepreneurs to clear official formalities without delay. “The only demand of the government is that they should come up with a project that can help generate employment, he said.
He said more new generation ventures were needed to address the concerns of unemployed youth. “The pravasi community, with their rich professional experience and global exposure, should take more responsibility in this sector,” he added.
Responding to a petition submitted by the MPCC leaders on behalf of the victims of the Mangalore flight tragedy, Mr. Kunhalikutty said the government would take special effort to settle the issues. “The government has received certain complaints and these would be taken up with authorities concerned, he said.
The ‘Pravasi Divas' celebration also witnessed the formal lunch of the Malabar Pravasi Education Society and the switch-on ceremony of a documentary, scripted by the former Vice-Chancellor of Calicut University K.K.N. Kurup on the educational backwardness of Malabar region. Reception committee chairman P.A. Hamsa presided over the function.
