With the aim of giving Kerala’s information technology sector a new identity aligned with the changing times, the State government has decided to rename the Electronics & IT department as the IT, Future Technologies and Start-ups department, under the new brand name “Kerala Tech”. The announcement was made in the Governor’s Policy Address in the Assembly on Friday.
The Kerala IT Mission will also undergo a transformation and become Digital Transformation Mission by including the Kerala AI Mission and the Kerala Emerging Technologies Mission. The government will also form the Electronics and Semiconductor Mission to drive the initiatives in the Semiconductor sector. A digital government model will be established in the State with a focus on citizen experience, using digital technologies and AI.
As per the policy address, the government will accord high priority to information technology, artificial intelligence, electronics, biotechnology, tourism, logistics, creative industries and the knowledge economy. Existing IT parks will be expanded and new investments will be encouraged. Special emphasis will be placed on attracting high-value investments in emerging sectors while ensuring sustainable development and local employment generation. Industrial growth and labour welfare will be advanced together.
Industries sector
To address land scarcity for industrial development, the government will prioritise the creation of a land bank by utilising special purpose vehicles through market borrowing and private fundraising. Major initiatives such as port-led logistics and industrial development, the expansion of industrial parks and sector-focused industrial ecosystems are being advanced to position Kerala as a preferred destination for manufacturing, logistics, technology, life sciences and global capability centres.
As part of measures to strengthen investor confidence, progressive reforms including the formalisation of the Investment Promotion Board to cater to high-value investments, the modernisation of K-SWIFT as an integrated digital single-window clearance platform, the empowerment of the Kerala State Single Window Clearance Board for faster and time-bound approvals and enhanced project-facilitation mechanisms will be implemented.
Alongside support for MSMEs and traditional sectors including coir, handloom, plantations and food processing, focused efforts are being undertaken to promote emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, medical devices, green energy, electronics and space technology to ensure inclusive industrialisation.