Vizhinjam to take ‘Kerala Brand’ products across the world, says CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday said traditional and value-added products exported through Vizhinjam will be given a ‘Kerala Brand’ identity. He was inaugurating the full-fledged export-import (EXIM) operations at the Vizhinjam International Seaport.

"Vizhinjam will provide an opportunity to take products such as cashew, coir, handloom products, spices and food items to markets across the world under the ‘Kerala Brand’. The port will serve as Kerala's gateway to global development and marks a major milestone in the state's development history," he said.

The Chief Minister also announced the ‘Mission Samudra’ project and unveiled its logo. He flagged off the first two EXIM containers.

He said cargo can now be transported directly to hundreds of ports across six continents without depending on another port or transshipment. It is also a matter of pride that Vizhinjam is India's first fully automated port to use artificial intelligence, he added.

Ashwani Gupta, CEO of Adani Ports, presented the ‘Vizhinjam Vision’. MLA M. Vincent, Ports Department Secretary Dr Rathan U. Kelkar and Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd CEO Pradeep Jayaraman were among those who spoke.

Director General of Maritime Administration Shyam Jagannathan, Customs Preventive Commissioner (Kochi) Dr Tiju Thomas, Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (Thiruvananthapuram) Aravind Menon and Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd Managing Director Geromic George were among those who attended the event.

Vizhinjam to drive Kerala's growth: Kunhalikutty

Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, who presided over the function, said Vizhinjam would pave the way for a major leap in Kerala's industrial and commercial sectors.

He said the Vizhinjam port would become a major gateway for Kerala's development, similar to the significant contribution made by Dubai's port to the growth of the UAE. New business opportunities arising from export-import operations would bring major changes to the lives of ordinary people, he said.

As part of plans to transform the state into a major port-based economy, a logistics park and related institutions will also be set up, the minister added.