Kerala all set to transform to a digital economy, says chief minister

KOCHI: Kerala has unveiled plans to become a major force in the digital economy by leveraging its strength in education system and skilled labour force.

Opening the two-day global digital summit #Future in Kochi on Thursday, the state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that to ensure that requisite infrastructure facilities for the change are available, the government has taken up the ambitious goal of increasing the floor area of IT parks by 10 million sq ft.


Pointing out that the focus is not just on physical infrastructure but digital facilities as well, he said the state has declared internet as a right of citizens and is committed to provide free Wi-fi in at least a 1000 public spots every year including parks and libraries.`` We are connecting our offices and homes with a high speed optical fibre network and are moving towards ensuring that last mile connectivity is a reality in Kerala by linking even our rural and coastal areas.’’

On the occasion, the chief minister also launched M-Kerala, a unified app for all government services. Kerala is the state with the largest public Wi-Fi deployment in the country, he said. " #Future is the first ever completely digitised event in the state that has used mobile-based services for registration, entry and communication.’’

Recalling the inherent strengths of Kerala to rise up to the fast-paced changes happening around the world, he said the ongoing conclave is a key step in showcasing the state as a global digital and information technology destination.

Kerala electronics and IT secretary M Sivasankar said the state revises its IT policy every year and has identified six areas to focus keeping the future scenario of massive changes in mind. "These are cognitive science, enabling financial services with block chain technology, data analysis, cyber security, electronic vehicle regime and leveraging space technology.”

Chief secretary Paul Antony released the knowledge report specially prepared by Ernst&Young in the backdrop of the event. S D Shibulal, chairman of Kerala’s high power committee on IT (HPIC) and V K Mathews, its member and convenor of the event also spoke.