Kerala has once again opened its doors to global investors, signaling a new era of business-friendly policies and infrastructure development at the Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025. The two-day event, that started on 21 February’25, held at Lulu International Convention Centre in Bolgatty, Kochi, aims to showcase Kerala’s investment potential, bringing together visionaries, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the world.
A State Ready for Investment
In his inaugural address, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan set the tone for the summit, emphasising the government’s commitment to cutting bureaucratic hurdles. “No investor coming to Kerala will have to face the cobweb of procedural delays and meet the barriers of red tape,” he assured. Highlighting Kerala’s progressive approach, he cited the Kerala Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Facilitation Act, 2019, which allows MSMEs to commence operations with an acknowledgement certificate via the K-SWIFT portal while obtaining necessary licenses within three years and six months.
The Chief Minister also outlined the government’s focus on transport infrastructure. Despite fiscal constraints, Kerala has contributed 25% of the land acquisition costs for the widening of National Highway 66 and is actively pursuing railway development projects to support high-speed trains.
A Global Gathering of Industry Leaders
The summit saw the presence of several eminent leaders, including Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq, Kerala’s Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, and Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev
Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary praised Kerala’s progress at the Invest Kerala Global Summit, calling it a gateway to India’s development. He highlighted the state’s strong education, healthcare, and skilled workforce. He also expressed interest in Kerala’s Water Metro as a model for other states.
UAE Minister of Economy, H.H. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, reaffirmed strong UAE-Kerala ties at the Invest Kerala Global Summit. Even before receiving an official invite, he confirmed his attendance with a delegation. He expressed keen interest in investing in food processing, tourism, high-tech manufacturing, and healthcare. The UAE is also enthusiastic about Kerala’s growing space sector. His Highness emphasised that collaboration will extend beyond these key industries.
V.K. Mathews, Executive Chairman of IBS Group, described the summit as a strategic initiative to communicate Kerala’s evolving business landscape. “We are different now, and we have made changes for the better. The summit is a platform to convey this message,” he stated. Echoing this sentiment, C.J. George, Founder of Geojit Financial Services, emphasised the importance of the event in strengthening Kerala’s image as an investor-friendly state.
Industry leaders reinforced this narrative, with Viju Jacob, Managing Director of Synthite, calling the summit a “key moment” in Kerala’s economic transformation. “Industries Minister P. Rajeeve and his team have been relentless in their drive to turn Kerala into a business and industry-friendly destination,” he remarked.
Major Investment Announcements
The Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025 has already spurred substantial investment commitments. Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari announced road infrastructure projects worth ₹50,000 crore, adding to the ₹20,000 crore already completed. “We have 31 upcoming projects spanning 896 kilometers,” Gadkari noted in his online address.
A significant announcement came from Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd., who committed ₹30,000 crore towards port development, airport expansion, and logistics infrastructure in Kerala. The group will invest ₹5,500 crore in expanding Trivandrum International Airport, increasing its passenger capacity from 4.5 million to 12 million, thereby boosting Kerala’s tourism and connectivity. Additionally, Adani Ports will establish a logistics and e-commerce hub in Kochi and expand its cement manufacturing capacity in the city.
Adani lauded Kerala’s leadership in ease of doing business and startup ecosystem growth, stating, “Kerala is emerging as a model of development and progress.”
UAE-based Sharaf Group has announced a ₹5,000 crore investment in Kerala, reinforcing the state’s role as a global trade hub. Vice Chairman H.E. Major General (Retd.) Sharafuddin Sharaf shared this at the Invest Kerala Global Summit. Kerala’s strong infrastructure, skilled workforce, and investor-friendly policies attract global enterprises. This investment strengthens the state’s logistics and trade ecosystem. Sharaf Group’s commitment highlights Kerala’s thriving business environment and future-ready infrastructure.
A Vision for India’s Economic Future
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal took the opportunity to outline India’s ambitious economic vision. He announced that India is on track to becoming a $30-35 trillion economy by 2047, significantly surpassing its current $4 trillion status. “By 2027, every estimate demonstrates that India will be the world’s third-largest economy,” he affirmed. Goyal urged global investors to explore Kerala as a key investment hub and pledged unwavering support for the state’s economic growth. “I am here to show solidarity with Kerala,” he declared.
A Promising Future for Business in Kerala
With abundant natural resources, a skilled workforce, and strong government support, Kerala presents an ideal investment destination across sectors, from tourism and technology to infrastructure and manufacturing. The Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025 serves as a resounding declaration that Kerala is open for business, embracing a future driven by sustainable economic growth and global partnerships.
As the summit progresses, it is clear that Kerala is at a transformative juncture, shedding old perceptions and embracing a new era of investment and development. With major policy shifts, infrastructure advancements, and significant investment commitments, the state is poised to redefine its role in India’s economic landscape.