By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in association with the Kerala government, will set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the state, its southern region chairman G.V.Sanjay Reddy said Friday.
Speaking to media persons after meeting with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Reddy said the Kerala government had agreed to provide all necessary infrastructure for the proposed venture.
“The CoE will basically be looking into innovation and entrepreneurship, and would be the place for interaction with industry in the state. It would promote employment, besides concentrating on research and development,” said Reddy.
The centre would initially function from rented premises, and later shift to its own campus to be constructed on three acres of land provided by the state government.
Similar centres of excellence have been very successful in promoting industry in states like Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
V.K.Mathews, CII’s Kerala region chairperson, said the central government had increased funding for industry R&D, and the proposed CoE would be able to utilise the larger funding.
“This (R&D funding) is being distributed through agencies like the CII and Kerala is going to benefit. The mantra today is to connect capital with ideas and the CoE will be fulfilling that role,” said Mathews.
The CoE would also connect with cash-rich non-resident Keralites keen to set up business units in the state and who are looking for business ideas.