The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) has taken a bold step to address widespread misconceptions about the state’s industrial progress with its new YouTube podcast, ‘Backwaters and Boardrooms’.
This initiative is a strategic effort by the Kerala government to communicate Kerala’s real economic story, showcasing resilience, growth, and the entrepreneurial spirit. Directed at potential investors and entrepreneurs both within and outside Kerala, the podcast aims to counter negative narratives largely driven by polarised political discourse and skewed media coverage.
About KSIDC and Its Role
KSIDC is a government-owned developing agency tasked with driving industrial growth in Kerala through infrastructure development, investment facilitation, and support for startups and industries. Under the leadership of Chairman C Balagopal, a former IAS officer and a successful entrepreneur, the corporation is committed to fostering an investor-friendly environment.
The podcast series is hosted by KSIDC Managing Director Mir Mohammed Ali and highlights Kerala’s robust reforms in ease of doing business, industrial innovations, and the state’s economic resilience despite floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facing Investor Misconceptions Head-On
The podcast is designed as a vibrant platform to present firsthand accounts from successful entrepreneurs, offering a realistic picture to both local youth and global investors. C Balagopal stresses that Kerala ranks first nationwide in the NITI Aayog’s Performance and Aspirational Index (PAI), which is based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Kerala is leading the country in all round economic development, as is evident from the state’s numero uno position in the NITI Aayog’s PAI ratings based on the SDGs since the ratings started. The misconception related to Kerala’s industrial scenario is based on negative narratives in the media and a sharply polarised political system,” he said.
“Kerala’s economy showed unparalleled resilience despite the 2018 and 2019 floods and the 2020-21 Covid pandemic. Still, between 2000-2024, the state’s compounded annual growth rate in GSDP matched all India average and was among the top states. These are important factors from an investor point of view,” he continued.
Insights from the Podcast Series and Their Impact
The debut episode featured C Balagopal himself, setting the tone by discussing Kerala’s impressive growth story and the government’s role in promoting industrial reforms. Subsequent episodes have highlighted notable leaders such as Pamela Anna Mathew, Chairperson and MD of O/E/N India Limited, Aju Jacob of the Synthite Group, the world’s largest spice extracts producer, and John Kuriakose, MD of DentCare, a global dental prosthetics manufacturer.
The podcast narrates their experiences, challenges, and successes, serving as inspiration and information for budding entrepreneurs. It also plans to focus on startups and innovators in upcoming episodes.
The podcast tactfully tackles investor misconceptions by showcasing Kerala’s stable compounded annual growth rate in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from 2000 to 2024, which equals or outperforms the national average despite major natural disasters and the pandemic. This honest portrayal helps rebuild investor trust and encourages youth to launch enterprises in their home state, fostering a culture of innovation and self-reliance.
The Logical Indian’s Reflection
The Logical Indian appreciates KSIDC’s proactive use of digital platforms to promote transparency and foster informed economic discourse. Kerala’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and inclusive development, and such initiatives help dismantle stereotypes, offering a clearer picture to investors and citizens alike.
The podcast not only builds Kerala’s industrial brand but also encourages a spirit of entrepreneurship essential for sustainable growth.
