Shri Ramachandran Kadannappalli, Hon'ble Minister for Ports,

Mr. Gert Heijkoop, Consul General of Netherlands for South India,

Shri Tom Jose IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala,

Shri Rajesh Jha, Chief Executive Officer, Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Ltd,

Dr. S. Sajikumar, Chairman, CII Kerala State Council,

Shri M.R. Narayanan, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, Thiruvananthapuram Zone,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.

       I am indeed very happy to inaugurate the Conference on Port – Led Industrialisation and Community Development : Leveraging Vizhinjam, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Thiruvananthapuram zone.

Let me begin by complimenting the Confederation of Indian Industry for taking initiative in organizing this conference which lays emphasis on the Vizhinjam project, which is expected to change the industrial and commercial profile of Kerala, especially southern Kerala and the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram.

As an organization which works to strengthen the business   environment in the State, the Confederation of Indian Industry [CII] has always made sincere efforts to bring about a positive smoothening of the business path in Kerala. As a developmental institution, the Confederation nurtures the dream of a Responsible, Inclusive and Sustainable India by the year 2022 through the theme: ‘India RISE’.

As we all know, India has a coastline of over 7500 km and potentially navigable waterways stretching to over 14500 km. It is therefore not surprising that about 95 percent of India’s merchandise trade by value and 70% by volume is through sea ports. Yet, we have a long way to go to ensure the best ports and logistics infrastructure, since we had been allowing only one percent of our Gross Domestic Product for the development of our Port infrastructure, while the Railways get a share of
9 percent and roads enjoy over 6 percent.   Coming to Kerala, we have a coastline of 590 km and just one Major port at Kochi and 17 non-Major ports, known as State Ports.  I understand that Vizhinjam Transhipment Port, is one of the important non-major ports being developed by Government of Kerala in partnership with India’s largest port Operator M/s.Adani.    Much more than a Government project, it is a long cherished dream of the people of Kerala and so, our society is keenly watching its daily progress.

It is well known that Vizhinjam has evoked greater interest among various stakeholders and the Port Community as it offers several strategic and geographical advantages, along with the potential business opportunities.  Now that the Port is in the track of development, it is imperative that we seek measures to leverage its true potential.

For this, we have to think at least two decades ahead and consider the development models which have proven their merit in different parts of the world. We could certainly learn from nations such as China, South Korea, Japan and the United States of America, which have effectively used their coastline for “port-led development”. Our own Saagarmaala Project, anchored by the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, had shown a model by including port modernization and new port development, enhancement of port connectivity, port-linked industrialization and Coastal community development.

It is gratifying to note that in tune with the National Perspective Plan which seeks to reduce export-import and domestic trade costs, the State Government has also launched a major initiative for the development of Auxiliary facilities for this Port. The State Budget for 2019-20, has rightly included the construction of ring-roads, and an allied growth corridor that includes a chain of new townships, knowledge hubs and industrial areas. Besides, a 650 km long Coastal Highway project has already been launched.

While we develop a port like Vizhinjam, the greatest expectations that people have is regarding the development of the coastal community. I am happy that the Government has made efforts to address the long-standing demand from fishermen for augmenting the fishing harbour and that a new facility will soon be ready.  I hope that the Seafood Park, which is planned by the Government to add value addition to the produce of the fishermen community will also bring a qualitative change in the life of the coastal communities.

I would also suggest that we look into the possibility of elevating our fisher-folk from traditional modes of fishing to the advanced mechanized mode so that the coastal communities get the right economic progress through safer and more productive fishing activity. We should also remember that during calamities like Ockhi, we had more casualty from among the traditional fisher-folk. Since we know Kerala's potential in some of the industrial segments like Food Processing, Electronics Manufacture and Apparel Manufacture, we have to ensure business opportunities in these areas also so as to contribute to the economic status of our trained manpower.

Besides facilities, we also need to ensure a better Ease of Doing Business in our Port. It is good to know that the Government has initiated several policy level steps in this direction. The new Industrial and Commercial Policy, the Kerala Investment Promotion & Facilitation Act 2017, Amendment to Kerala Building Rules, Simplified forms for clearances and connection to utility services, the Kerala Single Window Interface for Fast and Transparent Clearance (K-SWIFT) and the decision to facilitate a Kerala Investment Promotion and Facilitation Cell are laudable steps.

Port based pollution and the threat of depletion of coastline are other areas to be seriously addressed. Those who manage and operate the upcoming Port have a duty to be a model in ensuring Green Protocol in as many areas of port activity as possible.

I hope this Conference will provide a platform for the Government of Kerala to position the project to a next level of development and help other stakeholders to understand the investor requirement.

I hope the deliberations will help to script a new model of Port-led development in Kerala.

I compliment the Confederation of Indian Industry [CII] for organizing this conference in a befitting manner with the support of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind

***