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Kerala single-window clearance from June

Our Bureau

KOCHI, May 28

A REVOLUTIONARY change would take place in the industrial scenario of Kerala with the commencement of single window clearance system for investors from June 1, according to Mr. Mohandas, Principal Secretary, Industries, Kerala Government.

The problems faced by the investors would be eliminated and the Government would act as a facilitator to attract more and more industries to the State, he said while inaugurating a one-day international seminar on Business Opportunities, organised by the Kochi-based financial magazine Dhanam and the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This was an era for private investment and the role of the government was to provide opportunities to start new business ventures. Though there were problems faced by investors, it could be sorted out by providing various benefits, he added.

He said the Government had taken various steps to improve quality of service in various district industries centres to attract entrepreneurs. With regard to IT development, Mr. Mohandas said the State was not far behind compared to Karnataka and Andhra P radesh. The only disadvantage was that Kerala lacked metropolis status, he added.

The need of the hour was to create knowledge-based industries and there were limitations in certain areas such as education, migration by professionals to other centres. With the setting up of Hitech Park in Kochi, the State would become the centre for I T development, he said.

Mr. George Abraham, Executive-Director, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the need for a change in the mindset of society in the present day environment. Citing certain syndromes such as paralysis by analysis, no action no talk, escapist etc., in the society, he said the need of the hour was to address the problem of mindset to participate in development programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. G.C. Gopala Pillai, Managing Director, Kinfra, said bureaucratic hurdle was one of the main problems faced by investors in the State. It should be eliminated at a certain level for the development of a better industrial clim ate. The labour scenario was also lingering in the mind of investors as the labour in Kerala was in an unorganised sector, he said.