KOCHI: Chairman and Managing Director of FACT Limited G.C. Gopala Pillai has called for initiatives in various industrial sectors in order to generate employment in Kerala.

Addressing a workshop on `Fifty years of Kerala - a development agenda for employment generation', organised by Kerala Management Association, he said the State should focus on areas such as information technology, food processing industry, tourism, biotechnology, garment and retail industry in addition to traditional industries.

In the information technology sector, emphasis should be on attracting substantial private investment in software, hardware and telecommunications. Technology parks and other infrastructure should be encouraged in the private sector. The Government should initiate steps to enable hardware electronic industry to use the latest technology for their requirements.

For developing tourism, preference should be given to underdeveloped areas like Malabar region and plantation regions.

Creating a special tourism zone for the Malabar region would certainly help upgrade the socio-economic status of the region.

The revenue generated in the Kerala economy from tourism is estimated to be more than Rs.4,000 crore, which is around 6.5 per cent of the State's GDP.

The direct and indirect employment in tourism in Kerala is around nine lakh. This could go up to 40 lakh by developing well-planned special tourism zones, he said.

Mr.Pillai urged the Government to conduct a comprehensive study to identify and promote key products in agro-food processing sector. Incentives for units manufacturing innovative value-added products, specialised entrepreneurial development programmes, financial assistance for setting up cold chains and export facilitation schemes would be of immense help to promote the sector, he said.

In the biotechnology sector, the strategy of the State could be to establish a competitive business infrastructure and environment for the industry on par with the best facilities and practices worldwide.

The lack of a national-level scientific organisation like Indian Institute of Science is a handicap to the State in respect of developing biotechnology.

Garment making is an area that can be developed for employment of women by imparting training for a short period. Indian companies can become part of the retail industry, providing good source for employment generation, he said.

Speaking on Tourism, T. Damu, vice-president Taj Group of Hotels, asked the industry to give importance to eco-tourism, which has become the highest revenue earner in the world today. He also highlighted the need to promote tourism in Malabar area, which is still not explored.

P.K. Michael Tharakan speaking on ``Traditional industries'' pointed out to the recent studies, which showed that in spite of highest economic growth the State witnessed in relation to some other States, the income disparities have increased. The employment elasticity is low here, he said. Presenting his paper on ``Agro Foods'', George Paul, Director, Synthite Group, asked to exploit the advantages of globalisation to our benefit. He said cost and quality could not be ignored if we want to become completive in the market.

George Sleeba, Executive Director, FACT, called to focus on sectors, which have competitive advantages. He also emphasized the need to change the mindset.

K S Kumar, Head, Sutherland Global Inc, called for proactive Government policies and private sector involvement in developing infrastructure. He was speaking on the IT and BPO in generating employment.

Venu Krishan, Deputy Managing Director, Hotel Leela Venture, said garment was ideal for the State as it is non-pollutant and require low investment besides very labour intensive.

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