Microsoft, Tech Mahindra follows Nissan to Kerala

“Nissan’s arrival to Kerala is a big boost for us. Following Nissan, a few other top-level IT companies such as Microsoft and Tech Mahindra have also expressed their interest to come to Kerala. This will change the face of Kerala’s IT sector. It’s going to change Kerala’s image entirely,” said Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala. He was talking to a spokesperson form the Delhi-based daily ‘livemint’.

Convincing Nissan was not an easy task. It took about six months to negotiate with the people concerned. When we knew about their requirement for a place, we contacted them and narrated our strengths. Our state is calm and peaceful when compared to other northern states of India. There is abundant supply of manpower with young, talented and highly educated people. If someone come for business, the files will move fast and there is scarcely any chance for bribing – explained the CM.

There has always been a false notion that Kerala is not a business-friendly state. It is complained that there is excessive involvement of trade unions in businesses. The government is trying to change that impression. Improvement of the social and physical infrastructure will make our state attractive for investment.

The government is striving to keep their promises in the election manifesto. Generating 2.5 million job opportunities and development of crucial infrastructure within 5 years are the major challenges.

Kannur airport will be a reality this year.  Two big road projects, the Gail pipeline project (an ambitious 437-km gas pipeline project from Kochi to Mangalore) and a major power project are in progress. Cleaning the  Parvathi Puthanar to make it suitable for water transport will be another task planned to complete this year It is a 74km waterway between two tourism hotspots, Kovalam and Aakkulam.  Many more multi-crore projects to make Kerala’s 1,680km stretch inland waterways fit for navigation is on the way.

Apart from these, two additional tracks around the entire railway line of Kerala is in plan. Doubling of national highways, building an express highway, a coastal highway and hill highway etc. are the upcoming projects.

“I’m taking Kerala’s development seriously”, said the CM with confidence, though he was sceptical about the cooperation of the Central Government for the implementation of all the dream projects of Kerala.