The State of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are emerging as fast growing hubs for industrial activity in India. These two States offer significant opportunities in electronics manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, information technology, research and development, tourism and various other service oriented industries.

Tamil Nadu has been especially successful in attracting significant foreign direct investments. With big brands like such as Nokia, Dell and Samsung and Hyundai, Ford, Mitsubishi and BMW, Chennai boasts of its immense opportunities for electronics and automobile manufacturing. The growth of IT and ITeS companies stands testament to the ever expanding IT corridor which is runs along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and East Coast Road (ECR) in South Chennai.

The Tamil Nadu Government has facilitated an effective Single Window approval process for all projects investing more than Rs.25 Crores in the State. The Guidance Bureau Cell under the Tamil Nadu Industries Department provides excellent support for starting new ventures in the State.

Kerala has not been too far behind in the race for growth and development. The State has been developing in leaps and bounds over the past ten years. In fact the State has a large number of investments in the pipeline for projects to be completed by 2011.

The city of Kochi is the hub of most projects. Some of these major projects being underway in fast progression at Kochi include –

• $350 million dollar Information Technology Special Economic Zone (known as “Smart City”) project, being developed by TECOM of Dubai,
  
• $500 million dollar project of India’s largest trans shipment container terminal being set up at Vallarpadom near Kochi by Dubai Ports World
  
• And $500 million dollar project of LNG terminal being set up by Petronet LNG Limited