Date:04/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/04/stories/2005100400671700.htm

Back `Kerala can make significant progress in IT'

Our Bureau

The Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, hands over the ISO certificate to Mr P.C. Jain, President, Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at a function in Kochi on Monday. - H. Vibhu

Kochi , Oct 3

THE impervious attitude of the people towards developmental projects has left the State far behind in industrialisation, according to the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy.

Of the Rs 78,000 crore IT exports in the country, Kerala's share is only four per cent. He said that the State could make significant progress in this sector.

Speaking after presenting the ISO 9001-2000 certificate to the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday, the Chief Minister said that the atmosphere of investment is now conducive in the State as the Global Investors' Meet of 2003 was a turning point in attracting investments.

The Government has given priority to infrastructure development of Kochi where investment projects to the tune of Rs 16,000 crore are in the pipeline, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, is expected to lay the foundation stone for the Petronet-LNG Terminal at nearby Puthuvypeen on November 1, which is also Kerala Formation Day.

The final review meeting of Rs 2,300-crore LNG Terminal Project would be held on October 15.

The Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the first trade organisation in the South to obtain ISO 9001-2000 certificate from International Certifications Ltd, Switzerland for the excellent service in the promotion of trade and industry in the State and also in other related services wherever possible.