Kerala’s Industries Minister P. Rajeeve recently engaged with over 30 global business leaders during the state’s inaugural participation in the India Pavilion at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This event featured other prominent states such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
During the meetings, Rajeeve highlighted Kerala’s evolution into a key industrial hub, pointing to its top rankings in the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) index and promoting the state’s New Industrial Policy (NIP). The Invest Kerala Pavilion focused on various sectors, including IT/ITES, space technology, medical devices, maritime infrastructure, tourism, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups.
“We had a series of productive meetings at WEF. Business leaders expressed significant interest in the transformations occurring in our industrial landscape, driven by our government’s policies, and they showed enthusiasm for the upcoming Invest Kerala Global Summit,” stated Rajeeve.
Notable industry figures, such as Bharat Kaushal, Managing Director of Hitachi India; R. Dinesh, Executive Chairman of TVS Logistics; Dolf van den Brink, CEO of Heineken; and Pradeep Parameswaran, CEO of Uber, participated in these discussions.
In addition to one-on-one meetings, the Kerala delegation—which included Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan and other senior officials—took part in panel discussions and networking events. They emphasized Kerala’s advantages in skilled labor, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.
Rajeeve underscored the state’s goal of fostering “responsible industry,” which prioritizes environmentally friendly growth that benefits local communities. Kerala’s achievements in the MSME sector, startups, and the processing of food, spices, and marine products further highlight its diverse growth potential.
The Kerala Pavilion also welcomed noteworthy visitors, including M.A. Yusuff Ali, Chairman and Managing Director of Lulu Group International, and Vinod Manjila, President of the CII Kerala Chapter, who facilitated numerous interactions.
