Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for Industries, Shri P Rajeeve handed over agreements to eight companies, including one which shifted from Andhra Pradesh, to operate from Bio360 Life Sciences Park at Thonnakkal here.
Speaking at a function organised by the Kerala Life Sciences Industries Park (KLIP) here, he said the investment of all these companies totals Rs 70 crores. “Eight new companies starting their manufacturing and innovation centres at Life Sciences Park in a single day is a reflection of Kerala’s industrial-friendly ecosystem,” said the Minister. “A total of 700 new employment opportunities are expected to be created with these new initiatives.”
“The fact that globally renowned companies are expanding their activities in the state also shows that our renewed industrial-friendly policies are attracting investments,” said the Minister citing the example of IBM setting up two units in the state within two years. He also said that HCL has already started a development centre in Kochi and discussions are underway to set up one more in Trivandrum.
Out of the eight companies, five are setting up manufacturing facilities at the park, and the rest are setting up their innovation centres at the park’s existing built-up space.
On completion of their manufacturing plants in the next two years, the five companies – EnProducts, Sascan Meditech, Centre for Research on Molecular and Applied Sciences (CRMAS), Hanumat Agencies and Alverstone – are expected to provide 700 jobs.
IQzyme Medtech, Gnanlex Associates, and Eleman Medical Devices are the three companies that will establish innovation centres at the park.
Industries & Commerce Principal Secretary, A P M Mohammed Hanish; KLIP CEO, Dr K S Praveen and Santhosh Koshy Thomas, MD, KINFRA were also present.