Thiruvananthapuram, 04 Oct (H.S.):The Kerala government has approved the establishment of “Kerala Desks” in five major international cities to attract overseas investment and strengthen business links with the global Malayali community.

Dubai, London, New York, Singapore and Tokyo will host the desks in the first phase, according to an order issued by the Industries Department under the government’s 100-day action programme.

The initiative seeks to expand the diaspora’s contribution to Kerala’s economy beyond remittances by encouraging investment in businesses and industrial projects. It aims to draw on the commercial networks, experience and contacts of Malayali entrepreneurs operating abroad.

The desks will function on a voluntary basis with the cooperation of recognised diaspora organisations in the respective cities. The government has designed the arrangement to ensure that it creates no financial liability for the state.

Investment proposals and expressions of interest received through these overseas centres will be channelled to the Invest Kerala Cell. They will subsequently be taken forward through the single-window system to facilitate the investment process and help translate investor interest into projects.

The desks are intended to provide a point of contact for overseas entrepreneurs interested in Kerala, while connecting prospective investors with the state’s investment facilitation mechanism.

By establishing a presence in international business centres, the government hopes to improve outreach to investors and make more systematic use of the Malayali diaspora’s business connections.

The initiative also envisages coordination between established expatriate businesspeople and new investors exploring opportunities in Kerala. This engagement is expected to support the state’s efforts to attract capital and expand industrial activity.

The first-phase rollout places diaspora organisations at the centre of the overseas outreach programme, with investment interests routed through the state’s existing facilitation framework. Its focus is on building sustained business relationships that can contribute to Kerala’s investment-led growth over time.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman