The industry expects formal notification of exemptions from local bodies.

Industrial sectors operating in registered industrial parks and estates are eagerly awaiting a government notification exempting them from tax collection by local governments.

The Kerala State Small and Medium Enterprises Association (KSSIA) said some local bodies like Kollam Corporation have exempted units within the Mundakkal development zone from payment of building tax, employment tax and license fees.

KSSIA Chairman A. Nizaldeen said owners of units functioning in 119 industrial parks and upcoming private industrial parks hope that all of them will be covered in the state-wide notification. .

While other states have issued notices to industrial estates to facilitate their functioning, Kerala has issued orders against notified industrial estates. Nizaldeen said such notifications are also part of the government's efforts to make Kerala an investor-friendly destination.

Industrial park owners attribute the success of the new business start-up campaign for the second year in a row to measures to ensure the investment process is fast, transparent and free of obstacles.

It has been learned that the government has been assured that there will be no loss of income due to local bodies not being burdened with fees under the various heads. In return, industrial parks create significant employment and increase government revenue through other tax offices such as GST.

On the other hand, there are high expectations for private industrial parks, of which 17 industrial parks have been approved by the high-powered committee appointed to approve private industrial parks. Two of his industrial parks, Palakkad and Kannur, have already taken off. The state cabinet has finally approved the proposal to establish private industrial parks in the state under the Private Industrial Parks Scheme 2022, following amendments to a similar scheme issued in 2017.