From Dubai to Tokyo: ‘Kerala Desks’ to be set up in 5 global cities to boost investment
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has approved the setting up of ‘Kerala Desks’ in five global cities to attract foreign investment and strengthen engagement with the diaspora, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said on Saturday.
The desks will be established in Dubai, London, New York, Singapore and Tokyo as part of the state government's 100-Day Action Plan.
From remittances to investment
Satheesan said the initiative aims to move the state's diaspora engagement beyond remittances and towards long-term investment in Kerala.
The desks will operate on a zero-cost model in partnership with recognised Non-Resident Keralite (NRK) organisations. Investment opportunities and leads generated through the desks will be connected to the Invest Kerala Cell of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC).
According to a government order issued by the Industries Department on September 30, the initiative will leverage established NRK business and professional networks to promote investment in the state.
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What will the Kerala Desks do?
The desks will serve as Kerala's outward-facing investment facilitation arm in the five selected cities.
Their responsibilities will include:
- Building relationships with NRK associations, Kerala-origin businesspersons and prospective investors.
- Identifying and generating pre-qualified investment leads.
- Referring potential investors to the Invest Kerala Cell for further facilitation through its single-window mechanism.
- Providing market intelligence on investment opportunities, sectoral trends and regulatory developments in the respective countries.
No financial burden on state
The government said the initiative would not impose any financial burden on the state.
Each desk will be hosted and administratively supported by a recognised NRK organisation in the respective city on an honorary and voluntary basis.
The Invest Kerala Cell under KSIDC will provide the institutional framework, branding, coordination protocol and technical support for the initiative.
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KSIDC to formalise partnerships
The government has given in-principle approval for establishing the desks under a cooperative, no-cost model with suitable NRK organisations.
The KSIDC Managing Director has been directed to identify and formalise partnerships with these organisations and finalise the desks' scope, operating protocol and reporting structure.
The lead-referral system will also be integrated with the Invest Kerala Cell to ensure that investment proposals received through the desks are taken forward through the state's single-window mechanism.
PTI