Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: Kerala has been able to show a 31 per cent growth in the number of Information Technology (IT) professionals in the last six years, according to a study.
The number of IT professionals in the state has increased significantly to 2,50,000 in 2023 from 78,000 in 2016, noted the study on “Kerala Investment, Growth & Development 2018-19 to 2022-23” undertaken by the MSME Export Promotion Council jointly with Confederation of Organic Food Producers & Marketing Agencies.
From 2018-19 to 2022-23 Kerala attracted over Rs 91,575 crore new investment projects and completed projects worth Rs 33,815 crore, the study added. In the process, the state has generated new job opportunities – direct and indirect – for about five lakh people, it said.
The study further said that total investment projects outstanding in 2022-23 were of Rs 4,03,770 crore and under implementation worth Rs 2,77,957 crore. Once these projects are completed, direct and indirect new employment opportunities are expected to be created for over seven lakh people.
During the period (2018-19 to 2022- 23), the pending projects were revived of Rs 12,240 crore.
While Kerala accounts for 2.8 per cent of India’s population and 1.2 per cent of land area, it contributes more than four per cent to the GDP of India. The states’ per capita income is 60 per cent higher than the country’s average. This has already led to internal migration to Kerala, more so for the low-end jobs, even as a large number of Keralites have immigrated mostly to Gulf countries.
Incidentally, Kerala was recently adjudged the best performer among the states startup ranking 2022 by the Union Commerce Ministry.