CII chalks out 10-point agenda to boost Kerala economy

Giving special emphasis on the overall development of Kerala's economy, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has chalked out a 10-point action agenda for the rapid industrial growth of the state with special focus on medical tourism.

P K Mohapatra, deputy chairman, CII, southern region, and president and chief executive, RPG Enterprises, said CII would facilitate accreditation of hospitals in Kerala for standardisation of hospital services and equip them on par with international standards.

Kerala health tourism is poised for exponential growth in medical tourism in view of the growth in the Indian healthcare market, which is growing at the rate of 20 per cent per annum. He said CII had tied up with the National Accreditation Board to take forward the initiative in providing accreditation to hospitals.

The travel and tourism sector would be another focus area of development as the sector accounts for over 13 per cent of the state's GDP.

On the agriculture sector, CII has taken a lead in facilitating Geographical Indication (GI) certification for Palakkadan Matta and Navara, two ethnic rice varieties of Kerala. Eco farming, farm tourism and heritage preservation are also some of the key areas CII would focus on.

Addressing the media here, he said CII had taken a national-level initiative to promote Rural Business hubs. The Kerala government has shown much interest in the programme and the CII is working closely to promote the model through public-private partnership (PPP).

He also said that upgradation of 18 industrial training institutes (ITIs) would be another thrust area and five ITIs (Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kalamassery, Ettumanoor and Chalakkudy) would be upgraded to Centre of Excellence in the first phase.

CII has also earmarked Rs 1 crore towards the 'Clean Kerala Mission' project and would facilitate setting up of 100 waste management projects at the panchayat level.

He said CII would also work with Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSDIC) for setting up Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) for industrial waste. The waste management projects will also be implemented on PPP basis.

The confederation will support the Kochi corporation for the overall improvement in local self-governance as Kochi had been selected to participate in the Euro India summit to be held in February 2007 in Goa.

The summit will provide the corporation with opportunity to network and sign MoUs with five select corporations in the European Union.

To showcase Kerala's economy and its business prospects, the CII will organise various business events. The first one, Medi Equip "� an exhibition-cum-conference on Medical equipment will be held during Jan 27"�29, 2007.

Kerala Agrishow, with special emphasis on agriculture and food processing, will be held during February 24 "�26, 2007, and an exhibition on medical tourism will be held from March 23"�26, 2007.