THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: V K Rajashekaran Pillai, a West Asia based Keralite entrepreneur, who received the Union Government’s Pravasi Bharatiya Samman recently, has said that he was scared of investing in Kerala. Interacting with media persons at a Meet-the-Press programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club here Friday, he said the government should give the investors guarantee for the money they invest.
“I am scared of investing in Kerala. Even a panchayat member can stall a business project worth crores of rupees,” Rajashekaran Pillai said adding that the situation should change.Commenting on the investment scenario in the state, Pillai said Kerala does not require large scale industries. “There are many mid-level businessmen in the Gulf who can invest in Kerala. If the government is ready to give guarantee for investment, Kerala will have more industries than any other state in the country,” he added. Pillai said he intends to invest in a media-related venture in the state over the next two years. Asked about the incarceration of fellow entrepreneur ‘Atlas’ Ramachandran in the UAE for financial fraud, Pillai said the state government should urge the Centre to intervene in the issue.
“The government should take the initiative and ensure the support of the NRI entrepreneurs in the country to secure his release. The issue can be solved if the Union Government negotiates with the authorities concerned and gives proper guarantee,” he added.