Kerala has reached out to leading technology firms in Bengaluru, urging them to consider the coastal state for expansion in light of reports detailing a water crisis in the tech hub.
P. Rajeev, Kerala’s Industries & Law Minister, assured companies of ample water availability, citing the state’s 44 rivers.
“After we read reports of the water crisis in Bengaluru, we wrote to the IT companies offering them all facilities as well as plenty of water. We have 44 rivers, big and small, in our state, so water is not an issue at all,” Kerala Industries & Law Minister P Rajeev told ET on Tuesday.
Key players like the Prestige Group have already established a tech park in Kochi, with Brigade Group undertaking a similar project in Thiruvananthapuram. Infopark in Kochi boasts both government and private-developed facilities, enhancing the state’s appeal for tech investment.
Rajeev disclosed that a dedicated team is actively engaging with potential investors, although specific company names remain confidential. Kerala aims to emulate Silicon Valley’s success, leveraging its abundant technology talent pool and favorable infrastructure.
“The government has set up a dedicated team to pursue the state’s request for investments, Shri. Rajeev said, while refusing to divulge names of companies his officials have written to. “We are in discussions with some of them,” he said.
While existing IT hubs like Infopark, Technopark, and Cyberpark are well-established, the government plans to establish smaller tech parks in strategic corridors to support new investments and bolster connectivity.
Dinesh Nirmal, IBM’s Senior Vice President (Products), highlighted Kochi’s significance as a rapidly growing hub for the multinational company. IBM’s expansion in Kochi, particularly with the AI-based digital labor solution Watson Orchestrate, is expected to catalyze further investments and job creation.
Kerala also sets an ambitious target of employing one million workers in the tech sector within five years, emphasizing its commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the industry.
