Invest Kerala Global Summit Spurs Major Investment Activity: Minister Rajeeve

Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala is witnessing a surge in industrial activity as a direct outcome of the Invest Kerala Global Summit (IKGS) 2025, held in Kochi this February. Four projects with a combined investment of ₹1,211 crore, for which Expressions of Interest (EoIs) were received during the summit, have already commenced in April. Additionally, eight new projects valued at ₹2,675 crore are scheduled to have their foundation stones laid by the end of May.

Collectively, the four projects that have begun are expected to generate over 3,050 jobs, while the upcoming eight projects are projected to create employment for more than 8,800 individuals.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir Shri P. Rajeeve emphasized that these developments reaffirm Kerala’s reputation as a premier investment destination and reflect growing investor confidence in the state’s governance. “The proactive steps taken by the government following IKGS 2025 underscore our strong commitment to investor facilitation and results-driven governance,” said the Minister. “By leveraging transparent digital tools, decentralized project execution, and policy reforms, Kerala is setting a new national benchmark for investment promotion and industrial growth.”

Projects Commenced in April 2025:

1. Dynimated AI – ₹800 crore AI innovation hub in Ernakulam
2. Joy Alukkas Group – ₹300 crore residential and hospital project in Ernakulam
3. Positive Chip Boards – ₹51 crore chipboard manufacturing unit in Ernakulam
4. MS Wood Alliance Park – ₹60 crore wood processing unit in Kannur

Projects Launching in May 2025:

1. Kalyan Silks – ₹500 crore retail infrastructure project in Thrissur
2. Athachi Group – ₹100 crore investment in Palakkad
3. Sutherland – ₹1,500 crore tech and services center in Kochi
4. Gasha Steels – ₹110 crore manufacturing facility in Palakkad
5. Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences – ₹200 crore expansion across Kollam and Thrissur
6. Delta Aggregates – ₹15 crore industrial park in Pathanamthitta
7. Indraprastha Group – ₹100 crore investment in Kochi
8. Geojit Financial Services – ₹150 crore expansion project in Kochi

Upcoming in June 2025:

The Minister also announced that five more projects valued at over ₹1,000 crore, expected to generate 2,400 jobs, are scheduled to kick off next month.

Major Proposals on the Horizon:

• Genome Valley at Life Sciences Park, Thiruvananthapuram – ₹3,800 crore biotech cluster to commence construction soon
• Unity Mall, Thiruvananthapuram – to be inaugurated in November 2025

Governance and Monitoring:

A high-level Advisory Group, chaired by Minister Rajeeve and including senior government officials, trade body representatives, and industrialists, has been formed to monitor and accelerate project execution. The Principal Secretary (Industries) serves as the Vice Chairman, and the KSIDC Managing Director is the convener.

A Chief Minister-chaired policy reform meeting is scheduled in June to resolve any procedural bottlenecks and enhance Kerala’s Ease of Doing Business.

Digital Infrastructure for Investment Facilitation:

The government has launched two digital platforms to support transparent and efficient project tracking:

• Industrial Land Web Portal (https://industrialland.kerala.gov.in) – Functions like a matchmaking platform where landowners can list available industrial land
• KSIDC Investment Portal – Offers real-time updates on project statuses, monthly progress reports, and dashboards accessible to nodal officers and departments

To date, of the 450 EoIs received at IKGS, over 370 project-level meetings have been held. Status updates, photos, and key milestones have been uploaded to the IKGS portal to maintain transparency.

Structured Mechanism for EoI Conversion:

A five-step escalation protocol has been implemented to ensure timely resolution of investor issues:

1. Initial resolution by the nodal officer
2. Department-level intervention if unresolved
3. Formal communication to relevant stakeholders
4. Escalation to Secretary level
5. Final escalation to the Minister concerned

This model ensures responsiveness and accountability across all levels of governance, fostering a favorable climate for both domestic and foreign investment.