The politicians must change their mindset to attract NRI investors from Gulf region to face the big crisis that is being formed due to the return of thousands of jobless Pravasis. This was said by eminent historian and scholar Dr. M.G.S Narayanan inaugurating a seminar seeking attention of the new government regarding Pravasi issues in Kozhikode. He said that it is high time Kerala became an investment-friendly state comparable to the other neighbouring states.
He alleged that a group of leaders destroyed all the development in industrial sector. “Politicians, especially Communist Parties with their time-barred ideologies, still afraid of growing capitalists as the result of industrial progress.” -he said.
‘Gulf Malayalees who have been rejected opportunities in their homeland are working as fortune -seekers in deserts under hard weather conditions. Now they are facing big challenge on their job since the Gulf countries are nationalising the job market. It is natural for recruiting their own citizens in various industries. Gulf returnees in large number will cause bursting of the bubble that has developed through out the state for decades.
A well-oraganized strategy should be practised to solve the crisis. He suggested all NRIs and gulf returnees should be registered and a Permanent Advisory Council should be set up to discuss the issues related with Pravasis.
NRIs can invest in innovative industry sectors. It is necessary to make sure that NRI industries must be free of hartals, bandhs, and strikes.
Advisory Council must be comprised of economists, social scientists, engineers, and physicians.
If Pravasis are interested in agriculture sector, new generation farming can be helpful. A product supply mechanism also should be implemented for NRI firms. The Market survey is also needed to find out the target group. Even if coconut products have good demand in international market, Kerala’s presence is insignificant. NRIs can test their fortune in coconut processing also.
Since the opportunity is big, it is the state government’s duty to provide better environment to attract NRI investment.” – he suggested.
Indo -Arab Confederation Chairman Attakkoya Pallikkandy presided over the seminar. Dr. Devadas Gandhigram, M.P.M Mubasheer, T.P Vasu, Chev. C.E Chakkunny, Kattayatt Venugopal, P.Anil Babu, Koyatty Maliyekkal, P.M AbduRahiman, M.P Koyatty spoke.
P.T Nasar welcomed the gathering and P.K Jaya Chandran expressed vote of thanks.
Dr. M.G.S Narayanan speaks at a seminar on Pravasis in Kozhikode
