Kochi: The Kerala state government, with private participation, is planning to set up an industrial park with a focus on IT at Kalamassery near Ernakulam, according to IT Minister P K Kunjalikutty. An industrial corridor from Eloor to Nedumbassery too is under consideration.

The government policies on IT and industries will be announced soon, he said. Discussions will be held with employees organisations and political parties before announcing the policies.

New technoparks will be set up only after taking into account all relevant aspects, and henceforth technoparks would be set up only in the joint sector, he said. We are ready to acquire land by employing an emergency clause for setting up technoparks in industrially backward areas too, provided the legislators are able to bring forward investors. Also, the revenue department has set up a special team for such acquisition.

The technopark at Kariavattom is feeling the pinch due to the global economic slowdown - despite that it was able to export Rs 110-crore worth of software during the last financial year. The technopark enjoyed a 100-per cent occupancy.

A global investors meet will be held in Kochi and an international agency has been asked to prepare a list of potential investors, the minister said.

Kunjalikutty said technocrats would be brought in from outside the country, if needed, to head projects in IT, biotechnology and e-governance sectors. The finance department has given clearance for such contractual appointments.