In a major push to transform its industrial profile, **Kerala has announced its intent to become a leading **medical devices, diagnostics, and life sciences manufacturing hub in South Asia, Industry Minister P. Rajeeve said at a strategic investment dialogue in Kochi on January 25, 2026. The event, organized in collaboration with Agappe Diagnostics Ltd on the company’s 30th anniversary, brought together policymakers, global MedTech leaders, investors and industry experts to explore growth opportunities in the sector.
Speaking at the closed-door discussion, Rajeeve emphasized that biotechnology and medical technology (MedTech) are not just specialized research activities but strategic engines of economic growth and future resilience for Kerala. He pointed out that the state’s strong public health system, highly skilled workforce, and policy stability offer a robust foundation to attract global manufacturers and innovators in the healthcare sector.
The minister highlighted Kerala’s competitiveness, anchored on three key pillars: talent with trust, innovation with regulation, and sustainable growth. He said the state government is actively positioning Kerala to attract global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), reinforce the MSME supplier ecosystem, and support startups in navigating global regulatory landscapes and expanding into overseas markets.
Kerala is also India’s first state to adopt a dedicated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy, aimed at enhancing sustainability without adding compliance burdens, Rajeeve noted. This policy framework is expected to make Kerala-made medical devices “future-ready” for regulated international markets such as Europe and North America.
The state’s strategic infrastructure, including the BIO 360 Life Sciences Park in Thiruvananthapuram and a planned Medical Devices Park, was underscored as key assets to support scaling up manufacturing and commercial production. Industry leaders at the dialogue expressed confidence that collaborative efforts in joint R&D, technology transfer, and investment facilitation would accelerate Kerala’s emergence as a preferred MedTech destination in South Asia.
Minister Rajeeve’s remarks underline Kerala’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-driven, sustainable industrial ecosystem that could redefine the state’s role in the global medical technologies supply chain.
News as reported
