The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Kochi set to scale greater heights in investment

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 30, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Kochi set to scale greater heights in investment

R.Ramabhadran Pillai

Manpower plays key role in attracting investors

KOCHI: Kochi had come second among the `super nine ITES cities' in a study undertaken by NASSCOM. The fact that the ranking relates to the comparison of `super nine ITES cities' assumes significance as Kochi has outclassed several major cities.

The study on the IT framework pertains to the key sectors of telecom, power, real estate, manpower and policy initiatives. Hyderabad has taken the number one slot in the overall ranking. The data has been brought to focus by the Industrial Department of the Kerala Government, in a bid to highlight various positive factors of Kerala in general and Kochi in particular, with a view to attracting investment.

Kochi has attained the top slot in terms of manpower as well as real estate. The city is second in terms of telecom facilities and policy initiatives while it is rated sixth in power. The cities that fall below Kochi in ranking are Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Pune.

One of the advantages of Kochi in the telecom sector is that it is the point of landing for the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SAFE submarine cable landings. The city derives another advantage from the fact that the VSNL's primary international gateway in India is at Kochi.

The Infopark, situated midway between the seaport-airport highway, has been attracting investments. The Kinfra Export Promotion Industrial Park in Kochi provides basic infrastructure for many an industry like garments, chemicals, food and engineering. The biotechnology park coming up at Kalamasserry is another attraction for investors. The park boasts of a technology incubation centre with pilot plant facilities. In addition to basic infrastructure, it provides specific facilities such as biotech lab, gene bank, computer lab and R&D facilities.

The port-based special economic zone, a special enclave at Puthuvype, is expected to attract major investment. The project has been given the green signal by the Union Government. The project will offer opportunities in various associated ventures such as international ship repair complex, gas-based power project and desalination plant. A free trade warehousing zone has already been sanctioned as part of the port-based activity.

Yet another attractive feature of Kochi being projected by the Industries Department is the aviation sector and the international airport in Kochi. More than a dozen international airlines are already operating flights from the Nedumbassery airport. Apart from the aviation sector, there is scope for water transport. Kerala's long coastline offers tremendous scope for investment in high-end luxury liners connecting the tourism spots and neighbouring countries like Maldives and Sri Lanka.

As the investment scenario widens, new projects are being planned.

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