The over three-crore population of the state may be small compared to those of the other Indian states and the state’s rate of industrialization negligible.
But some of the fastest growing urban centres matching global standards are in Kerala, global management consultants McKinsey has noted.
In its latest report, McKinsey identified five cities from Kerala that could become a part of the 600 booming global cities by 2025. The cities are identified on the basis of their potential economic growth or Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Apart from Kochi, Kozhikode and Thrissur, the surprise finds are Kollam and Thalassery.
Of the 136 new cities joining the 600 Club, 100 are from China and 36 from India. Among the states, Kerala and Maharashtra contributed the maximum number to the club – five each, followed by Andhra Pradesh –three.
According to McKinsey, these 600 cities will account for nearly 65 per cent of the global GDP growth.
“With new hot spots emerging and household wealth surging in little-known urban centers, companies may have to adopt a much finer-grained approach to tap into the growth that lies ahead,” the report said.
According to former president of the CII Kerala chapter, Nawaz Meeran, Kollam and Thalassery must have found a place in the list probably due to the large number of emigrants from these places.
“Thalassery has some remarkable entrepreneurs who have set businesses in various parts of the globe. Kollam also has a large emigrant population,” Meeran said.