Absence of time-bound mechanism plaguing manufacturing sect

Express News Service
First Published : 20 Jun 2009 01:38:00 AM IST
Last Updated :

KOCHI: The absence of a time-bound mechanism in planning and implementing projects is plaguing the manufacturing sector across the State, M P Sukumaran Nair, Special Secretary to the Chief Minister, said here on Friday.

He was speaking at an event organised by the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in connection with the Focus Kerala Investors Meet, scheduled to be held here in July.

Nair said that the delay in implementing projects could be checked by setting up a competent project monitoring cell, with the active participation of players in the private sector. Efforts towards constituting a framework for the cell will be followed up during the investors meet, he added.

The convention is also proposed to explore possibilities of increasing investor awareness on relatively untapped sectors such as biotechnology.

"The focus has to be on innovation, blending the best of modernity and tradition. For instance, in a sector like the perfume industry, Kerala has immense potential in innovating products that can match global standards," Nair said. Public outcry against projects that require vast stretches of land is another hurdle in implementing projects in the State.

Potential investors are also dreading the possibilities of public outrage resulting in termination of projects.

The need of the hour is to make the process of land acquisition transparent and in turn, win the people's confidence and assure investors that the State has an investor- friendly climate, Nair said.

According to him, the convention will also set the ball rolling on IT projects that cover segments other than BPO and transcriptiondriven sectors.

"By integrating hardware sectors, we can also look at setting up integrated IT parks. By creating convention centres that cater to global corporate needs, we can also tap the possibilities of tourism sector," he said.