Speed up economic reforms: PM tells Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 11 (PTI) Asking Kerala toaccelerate the pace of economic reforms to tap privateinvestment for faster growth, Prime Minister Manmohan Singhtoday said the state should take a close look at the labourscenario to attract investors.

Inaugurating the Kerala Development Congress, organisedby the Congress-sponsored Rajiv Gandhi Institute ofDevelopment Studies, Singh criticised the LDF Government fornot fully utilising the centrally-sponsored schemes.

Stating that it was of utmost importance to create aninvestment-friendly atmosphere, the Prime Minister said thelabour relations in Kerala required a close look to ensurethat investors were not discouraged from coming to the state.

"The area of labour relations, in factories andenterprises all across Kerala, is something we need to take aclose look at. The investors should not feel discouragedbecause of the state of labour environment", he said.

Lauding the state''s achievements in education and health,Singh said Kerala should also address challenges like creatingold age security.

Singh also took a critical view on the state'' highdependence on foreign remittance, sayig this had made itvulnerable to international economic developments.

"I would like to say (that) Kerala should accelerate thepace of economic reforms in creating an enabling environmentfor private investment to create new employment opportunitieswithin the state. The state needs much more to be done in thisregard," he said.

He said the state should do much more to improve itsimage as an investment destination. Entrepreneurs andinvestors should seek Kerala as an attractive destination, hensaid. (MORE )PTI JRK NM BN RA