The Invest Kerala pavilion created buzz at the five-day annual meeting of the World Economic Forum that began in Davos, Switzerland.
The pavilion, led by the State Department of Industries and Commerce, reflects Kerala’s industrial potential and investment-friendly environment.
Kerala aims to attract more investment through its participation in the forum by sending a message that the state is now more industry-friendly than ever.
The Kerala Pavilion, forming part of the India Pavilion, highlights its campaign ‘We Are Changing the Nature of Business’, which focuses on sustainable and responsible industrial goals.
The pavilion focuses on the Vizhinjam International Port, the Palakkad Industrial Corridor, and Kerala’s sustainable and responsible industrial model.
It showcases investment opportunities after the state topped the Ease of Doing Business ranking, and focuses on the Invest Kerala Global Summit in Kochi next month.
Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Shri P Rajeeve, is leading the delegation from Kerala at the conference where the state has set up its pavilion for the first time.
He said Kerala prioritises nature, people and environment-friendly industries that create jobs and improve the standard of living.
“The Forum has provided an opportunity for us to introduce Kerala to the world’s major investors,” the minister said.
“Kerala is putting across the message that we have arrived, and our focus is on industries that make life better for our citizens without harming the environment.”
Chief Secretary Ms Sarada Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Dr A Jayathilak, Principal Secretary (Industries) Shri APM Mohammed Hanish, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) Managing Director S Harikishore and Executive Director Hari Krishnan R are also part of the Kerala delegation.
The visitors received firsthand information about the state’s industrial prowess, emphasising sustainable and responsible policy focusing on diversity and inclusion.
Kerala highlighted five top sectors – medical devices, healthcare, maritime, IT, space tech, and food processing – with the highest growth potential for the state globally on Monday.
Kerala also introduced the achievements achieved in its MSME sector through the Year of Entrepreneurship initiative in the pavilion that helped start 3,40,202 enterprises in three years.
These enterprises have generated investments worth Rs 21,838 crore and created 7,21,000 jobs.
Beyond the IT services sector, other technology companies are also showing interest in Kerala, as a favourite destination for groups providing technical services to large industries.
“Kerala is becoming a hub for technologies such as automotive technology, generative AI, and machine learning,” the minister said.
“The state is today a major producer of healthcare products, medical devices, space and defence technology.”
Over 50 heads of state and government have gathered at WEF Davos 2025.
It has drawn nearly 3,000 delegates from over 130 countries to attend the meeting, which is themed “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.”
The summit addresses key global and regional challenges such as geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve livelihood, and just and inclusive energy transition.
