Quick Overview

While many of the industrialized States of India have an unsatisfactory record of industrialisation,, Kerala has attempted to go closely with the national priorities, such as employment promotion and balanced regional development. The base for industrialisation, laid down as early as in the 1930s, has undergone several experiments over time. It is now time for an introspection on the so-called 'Kerala Model of Development' essentially from the angle of development of enterprise and entrepreneurship. Weak knowledge base is still a critical constraint in understanding the 'Kerala Model' from an operational point of view. Therefore, strengthening the data base is crucial in shaping the enterprise development strategies of the State. Apart from field evidences, this Report is based on long period data covering 1974 -75 to 2015 - 16, with 2001 as a cut-off year. This is the first comprehensive study of its kind on Kerala's industrial sector. In India's post - independence development scene, both the Union Government and the States have been designing and implementing various development programmes from time to time. Most of these programmes have been traditionally, sponsored by the Central Government. Now, a time has come, wherein, the State governments have to do a lot of home work regarding design and implementation of development programmes, in a national canvas of 'cooperative federalism'. Today, the platform is one of competition among the States, rather than falling in line with pre determined thumb rules. Branding Kerala, on the basis of its track record and outlook, has become all the more important.