The healthcare sector is arguably the early gainer at Emerging Kerala, attracting Rs 3,055 crore worth of proposals, including an investment offer by six companies for Rs 2,655 crore and a partnership project between KSIDC and private entrepreneurs for Rs 400 crore.

This follows DM Healthcare group of Dr Azad Mooppan announcing investments worth Rs 2,150 crore as part of ongoing projects that include an integrated medical township, super specialty hospitals and a medical college.

The second day proposals include Life Academy of Medical Sciences’ medical college-cum-super specialty hospitals in Thrissur, Thiruvanant-hapuram and Kozhikode at an estimated Rs 1,200 crore.

Other private projects: Nano Biotech SEZ and Knowledge City by Pushpagiri Medical College Trust Rs 875 crore, Healthcare Village in Kochi by BCG group Rs 320 crore, Biosimilar Drugs Manufacturing Unit by Mir Life Sciences, Kochi, Rs 130 crore, ayurveda medical college and research centre at Vagamon Rs 30 crore by the DC School of Medical Sciences and a super specialty hospital in Ernakulam by Lifeline Hospital-Adoor Rs 100 crore.

KSIDC has proposed a biomedical devices hub at Life Sciences Park near Thonnakkal at a cost of Rs 400 crore over the next three to five years.

Chitra Medical Centre will have a role in the hub and Terumo Penpol has shown interest.

EMKE promises 13,000 jobs

Six months from now, EMKE group, which is to open the country’s biggest shopping mall and two hotels here, will ensure jobs to at least 13,000 people.

Group managing director Yusuffali MA told Deccan Chronicle that no longer should the youth from here struggle in the Gulf. “The Gulf model has to be replicated here. We have to ensure jobs and business right here so that our youth do not have to go out and toil,” he said.

The group, which runs a chain of malls in the Gulf under LuLu brand, employs more than 29,000 people from 27 different countries. Of this 18,000 are Indians.

The shopping mall at Edappally has more than 300 shops already booked. It will have 20 food courts, nine cinema houses and a dining centre, giving direct jobs to at least 11,000 people.

“I should do things and then talk. I cannot invite investors without investing here. And that is why at this meet I can say that people should come to Kerala and invest”, he said.

Along with the mall, the group is setting up a Marriot brand hotel, which opens by July. The other Marriot hotel near the Kochi international airport would open by the end of next month.

One among the brains behind Emerging Kerala, Mr Yusuffali says he is contended with the response and says this does not end with three days.

NRK set to launch Rs 1,250 cr projects

It was 12 years ago that Ameer Ahamed, a non-resident Keralite from Kodungaloor, who has been in Oman for the last 28 years, burnt his fingers and wound up his one-time successful mineral water business.

But he is now back with two projects and says he is determined to set up his business in Kerala and has a point to prove to investors from across the globe that the state is an investment destination.

Mr Ameer, through his Manappat group, is to set up a multiuser mall at an estimated Rs 250 crore at Perumbavoor, outside the city. This should provide direct employment to at least 200 people. The land has been bought and all clearances got. Work will start this year end.

The other project is an IT/ITES park near Kozhikode airport for which he has acquired 35 acres. When completed, the total investment would be around Rs 1,000 crore, he said.

While a good part of the investment would be his own funds, he is modeling it on Sam Pitroda’s idea of a development fund, collecting small amounts from NRKs, keen on investing.

Mr Ameer Ahamed believes he can succeed and also help NRKs with small funds, without knocking at the government for assistance.

Sea plane project gets wings

The sea plane project, mooted at Emerging Kerala, got a leg-up on Thursday with chief minister Oommen Chandy assuring concessions on ATF tax rates.

Addressing a business meet on sea plane, Mr Chandy, however, said the government would pursue an open sky policy. It was encouraging to learn that there were already 58 applicants for the project.
Meanwhile, Pawan Hans, leading helicopter company, on Thursday made a strong pitch for the project, indicating its willingness to launch services in three months.

The company conducted a feasibility study and identified over 10 locations suited to launch the service, including the three airports in the state.

They are Kottapuram, Banasura Sagar, Kozhikode airport, Malampuzha, Idamalayar, Kochi-Bolgatty, Mattupetty (Idukki), Vembanad Lake (Kumarakom), Thiruvananthapuram airport, Kappil, Kollam (Ashtamudi Lake), Punnamada Lake (Alappuzha) and Munnar.

Mr Jesper Hougaard of Maldivian Air Taxi made a presentation on the sea plane operations. He said in given conditions, the sea plane could be operated at a cost of $ 1,200 for an hour.