A master plan charting the State’s development agenda should be prepared, Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating a seminar on ‘Making Kerala investor friendly’ that was organised by the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Sunday.
Mr. Rajasekharan said investments were a must if Kerala had to achieve financial security.
All differences, including political, should be set aside to create an environment conducive to attracting investments. Investors should have no apprehensions about the money they pumped in or their projects coming to fruition. “Hurdles will arise but it is time for administrators, officials, and the public to change the mindset that things will not improve in the State ,” he said.Malayalis had demonstrated their talent and skills in all sectors in other places in the country and abroad.
Cumbersome procedures such as licences were also a sore point. “Malayali investors, in fact, were pumping money into other States that were investor-friendly because it was easier to get things done there,” he said.
Biju Ramesh, chairman, Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the presidential address said the State had slipped from nine in ease of doing business rankings to 21st. Earlier, trade unions were a problem, but that was no longer true. However, a change in mindset of government employees was needed.
Raghuchandran Nair, president, Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said only 18 lakh acres of land was available for development in the State.
Mr. Rajasekharan also welcomed the first batch of 15 students from Mizoram who will study in the State as part of an exchange programme. The students are part of a group of 120 students who will study in institutions under the Rajadhani group of Mr. Biju Ramesh.