Kerala Government to Launch Kerala Desk in Five Global Cities to Attract Foreign Investment
Kerala plans to establish Kerala Desk in five cities to boost foreign investment and engage the expatriate community.
Thiruvananthapuram, October 3 (Daily Kiran) : The Kerala government is set to establish ‘Kerala Desk’ in five major cities around the world to attract foreign investment and leverage the network of the expatriate Malayali community. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced this initiative on Saturday.
The desks will be located in Dubai, London, New York, Singapore, and Tokyo. The government has given in-principle approval for this proposal, which forms part of the state’s 100-day action plan.
According to officials, this initiative aims to shift Kerala’s perspective towards its expatriate community. The focus will not only be on remittances sent by migrants but also on promoting investment and business partnerships.
The ‘Kerala Desk’ will facilitate connections between the government, Non-Resident Keralites (NRK) organizations, Kerala-based entrepreneurs, and potential investors in these cities. They will identify prospective investors and investment proposals, relaying this information to the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation’s ‘Invest Kerala Cell’ for further action.
The Invest Kerala Cell will process investment proposals through its single-window system. Additionally, the desks will provide information on investment opportunities available in their respective countries.
The government stated that these desks will monitor investment trends and regulatory changes that may be significant for Kerala. Notably, the plan will be implemented without imposing any additional financial burden on the state. Each desk will be hosted by an already active, recognized NRK organization in the respective city, which will offer necessary support on an honorary and voluntary basis.
The Invest Kerala Cell will provide the institutional framework for the entire initiative, including branding, coordination, and technical assistance. The managing director of KSIDC has been tasked with identifying suitable NRK organizations in all five cities and formalizing collaboration with them. The scope of work and reporting structure for each desk will also be determined.
The government believes that this initiative will capitalize on the existing business and professional networks of Malayali expatriates spread across the Gulf, Europe, North America, and East Asia. These desks will serve as contact points between Kerala and potential foreign investors abroad.
Officials are optimistic that this initiative will uncover new investment opportunities and strengthen efforts to attract foreign capital to the state.
