Kerala Industry Welcomes Budget Push to Develop Vizhinjam as Major Exim Port.

The Budget announcement to develop Vizhinjam as a major Exim port, modeled after global hubs like Singapore, Rotterdam, and Dubai, has received widespread praise from Kerala’s trade and industry.

Binu K.S. of the Kerala Steamer Agents Association welcomed the move, highlighting the advantages of direct global connectivity for trade. “This development is a boon as it enables direct exports and imports without relying solely on transshipment,” he said.

Trade and industry stakeholders in South India have long anticipated the opening of terminal gates for Exim trade. While Vizhinjam currently handles international transshipment cargo, the primary goal is to facilitate the movement of Indian-origin goods, particularly from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Binu added.

The Budget also introduced the Kerala Land Bank for Industrial Corridor Development (KLICK Portal), a platform allowing landowners and investors to engage in buying, renting, or leasing land for industrial projects. This initiative is expected to reshape Kerala’s business landscape.

S.P. Kamath, President of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industry, emphasized the transformative impact of the Vizhinjam-Kollam-Punalur Industrial and Economic Growth Triangle (VKP-GT). Spanning 1,456 sq km, this project aims to integrate coastal, central, and hilly regions through improved road and rail connectivity, fostering economic and industrial growth.

The six-lane highway, set for completion by December 2024, along with a ₹3,061 crore allocation for roads and bridges, is expected to enhance logistics and streamline trade operations.

Savio Mathew, Head of FICCI Kerala State Council, welcomed the ₹1,000 crore allocation for VKP-GT but stressed the need for domestic and inland cargo handling at Vizhinjam. He also urged authorities to consider a cruise terminal at the port and prioritize rail connectivity, which is currently in the planning phase.

HBL