12 NEWS
NOV 15 - NOV 28 2017
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Kerala Model for Expat Welfare There are lessons to learn from Kerala. The south Indian state is now setting standards for other Indian states to emulate for supporting its diaspora. The state and its Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was in global news when he welcomed Sharjah Ruler His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed for an of�icial visit. The state will host a unique event on January 12, 2018 titled Loka Kerala Sabha to discuss the issues affecting its vast diaspora. . Kerala is also unveiling a �inancial scheme called Pravasi Chitti to channelize expat earnings to fund road projects in the state. Asian Lite’s Anasudhin Azeez talks to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan The fall in oil prices and the nationalization drive, especially in Saudi Arabia, are affecting thousands of Indian workers, most of them from Kerala. How are you going to handle this crisis? CM: As you know around 2.5 million Keralites working in various countries. As high as 86 per cent of the emigrants are in the Middle East, mainly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. They play a significant role in the progress of the State. Their contribution to development can be seen at the household level as well as at the State level. According to data of State Lev-
el Bankers’ Committee, NRI deposits in Kerala is around Rupees 1 lakh crores (one thousand billion rupees). As you mentioned, due to the uncertain job scenario and efforts of Middle Eastern countries to replace foreign workers with its own return migration has increased. While 7.3 lakh persons returned in 1998, the figure is 12.5 lakh in 2014. Of course, it will have an impact on our economy. However, we are aware that there is much requirement for skilled workers and professionals in all the countries. According to a study conducted by the Centre for Development Studies (CDS), only 35 per cent of the
people migrated to Gulf destinations have diploma or degree or higher levels of education. Since the job market has changed a lot, it is important to upgrade the skills of the young workforce who are seeking employment abroad. Our government has a scheme to provide sufficient training and orientation to prospective emigrants. The scheme focuses on upgrading the skills of Keralites to meet the challenges in the employment market. We are also planning to set up finishing schools to enhance employability of young graduates. Rehabilitation will be a big issue
for the state to help the Gulf returnees. How will you handle it in a state where unemployment is quite high? We are hosting a first-of-its-kind Loka Kerala Sabha -- a high-level summit of all MPs, legislators from the state and representatives of over 200 registered Keralite associations spread across the globe -- to look at the issues of the diaspora. The two-day meet, to be held here from January 12, will be organised by NORKA-ROOTS, the nodal agency of the government under its Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs Department. The meet assumes significance in the wake of large scale reverse migration of NRKs following a general slowdown in the global economy and tightening labour laws and rules in the Gulf Corporation Council countries. A rehabilitation package called NDPREM (Norka Department Project for Returned Kerala Emigrants) has been put in place. NORKA ROOTS, a public sector company under the NORKA Department, has entered into MoUs with five nationalized banks to make available financial support for the returnees. Banks will sanction loans for starting modest enterprises in areas of interest of the returned NRKs. NORKA ROOTS will provide capital subsidy of 15 per cent of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs.20 lakhs. NORKA ROOTS also conducts orientation and training camps prior to screening and selection to boost the managerial capabilities of the entrepreneurs. Thousands of expat families are struggling because of the denial of Kozhikode airport to land widebodied aircrafts. Haj pilgrims are forced to travel to Kochi to board flights to Mecca. What is the status of the airport now? We have taken up the issue with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Land is required for extending the runway as part of the expansion project. Since LDF government took over we have expedited the process of land acquisition. And as Chief Minister I am personally monitoring the progress. Once the runway extension is completed, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is expected to give necessary sanction to operate wide-bodied aircraft. We are hopeful. The lack of investment opportunities are opening avenues for frauds. The NRI population from the state is always looking for opportunities to invest in projects. Any new programmes to attract investments?
We are committed to utilising NRI investment for the development of our infrastructure projects. Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) is the second project after CIAL with private participation. It would be the largest and stateof-the-art airport in Kerala. Commercial operations of the KIAL initiative are expected to begin by September 2018. We will have similar major infrastructure projects with the participation of private sector and NRKs. The state government is planning to implement the National Waterway Project in the state jointly with CIAL. The prestigious project to develop inland waterways connecting Kovalam and Kasargode will be an opportunity for NRI investors. We propose to have 49 per cent equity each for the State Government and CIAL. Remaining two per cent will be allotted to small investors. We are also introducing ‘Pravasi chitti’ scheme which would be managed by the Kerala State Financial Services Enterprises (KSFE), a wholly-owned non-banking company of the state government. In the scheme, NRKs can make their monthly remittance which will be invested automatically in the NRI bonds of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) in the name of KSFE. As these investments have the guarantee of the government and security of the KSFE, there will be no additional risk for the investor. We are expecting at least by one lakh NRKs will join the scheme in the first year. We are adopting a two-pronged strategy to empower the returnees through financial support for their ventures here and also to raise funds from the NRKs for developing two highways -- 1,267 km-long hill highway and 630 km-long coastal highway by generating Rs 10,000 crore through NRK bonds. What is your vision for Kerala by 2020? Our focus is to build a better infrastructure. This is imperative for developing industry and tourism. Widening of National Highways from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargode to 45 metres is on the fast track. We expect that it would be completed by 2018. GAIL’s natural gas pipeline project also progressing well. We are determined to complete the ongoing infrastructure projects within the stipulated time. To read the full interview please visit asianlite.com