Kerala's commitment to progress doesn't end with past achievements. Recent initiatives like the Graphene Center for Excellence and the Kerala Digital University underscore the state's forward-thinking approach. These endeavors aim to harness cutting-edge technology and knowledge to further elevate Kerala's standing as a hub of innovation and progress.
It's not just about rankings and accolades; Kerala's impact extends far beyond its borders. The state has pioneered initiatives that have inspired and been emulated at national and global levels. From empowering women through the Kudumbashree program to instilling discipline and responsibility in students with the Student Police Cadet initiative, Kerala has been a source of inspiration for positive change.
Social progress is at the heart of Kerala's identity. With a literacy rate of near 100%, a very high life expectancy, and modernized social security measures, Kerala offers a high quality of life. It's celebrated for its ideal tourism infrastructure and recognized biodiversity by the UN, making it one of the 50 ideal destinations globally according to National Geographic. Kerala's commitment to progress extends to industry and business. The government has undertaken a series of reforms to simplify rules, leverage information technology, and create an environment that's efficient, effective, transparent, and user-friendly. The "Year of Enterprise" campaign led to the establishment of over 1,40,106 MSMEs, the creation of 3,00,668 job opportunities, and an investment of Rs. 8438.95 crore in the state during the fiscal year 2022-23.
Kerala is transforming itself into an attractive destination for enterprises and businesses. It boasts abundant skilled labor, excellent industrial infrastructure, connectivity, research and development opportunities, incentives, and industry-friendly regulations. The state's network of airports, seaports, ICT terminals, national highways, railways, and connectivity to international submarine cable landings makes it a magnet for investors.
Kerala is not just an economic powerhouse; it's a leader in governance and societal development. Its high GDP growth rate of about 12% year-on-year is complemented by excellent productivity figures. The Public Affairs Index ranked Kerala as the third best-governed state among large states in the country. In the latest SDG Index of NITI Aayog, Kerala ranks at the top due to its superior performance in providing good health, reducing hunger, achieving gender equality, and providing quality education. Kerala's startup ecosystem is not only top in Asia in terms of affordable talent but also ranked fourth globally, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER). This ranking is based on research driven by Startup Genome, a leading policy advisory and research firm.
