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