Gen-next is state strength
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Emerging Kerala is all about tapping opportunities for its most 'precious' resource, the youth, to help them find and create jobs in the State, Chief Minister, Oommen Chan-dy, has said.
“We, in our families, have invested heavily in our younger generations since they are our most precious resource. They need opportunities right here in Kerala and right now. We do not have any more time to wait”, Chandy said at the inauguration of Emerging Kerala here on Wednesday.
Taking a dig at obstructionist politics, Chandy said: “We realise that words or ideology alone will not get us either investors or investment. It is no longer a time for vain words but for bold constructive action,” he said, drawing a thunderous applause.
Unlike in the past, the State had recognised its weaknesses and limitations. A development agenda had been charted based on the principle development and care.
“Our objective is to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth. We want each and every individual in Kerala to participate in the development process. We want projects which are people-oriented; projects which create employment opportunities in the State; and projects which are environment-friendly.”
The government would do everything to support, handhold and give speedy clearances to all people and environment-friendly proposals, which would contribute to the State’s growth. Such proposals should comply with the law of the land. No short-cuts would be taken, he said, allaying Opposition fears of giveaways for the rich.
This would not be a one-off event. It was part of a process for creating a climate for investment, part of the approach to the 12th Plan. “Emerging Kerala is all about deepening and intensifying the already deep global and national connect of Kerala. This is an expression of the collective will of our people to scale greater heights”, said Chandy.
US trade keen to get Kerala on board
US ambassador Nancy Powell, who was impressed with Kerala’s efforts to promote environment-friendly development, asked the state to have a bigger role in trade relations with her country.
Addressing the Emerging Kerala meet here, she said that the US-India trade volume had grown from $ 18 billion in 2001 to $ 90 billion in 2011 but Kerala’s share in this remarkable growth was negligible. “We want Kerala also to be part of this growth.”
She said a US trade mission would visit Kochi in February to cement ties with the state. Already 30 US companies had invested in Kerala and the numbers would definitely go up. Ms Powell on Tuesday inaugurated an American Busin-ess Corner at the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries here.
The US ambassador said that since she took up the post in April, she was fully into cementing the trade links with India.
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