Kerala’s maritime drive received a major fillip at the two-day Kerala–European Union conclave Blue Tides, held in Kovalam, with the state attracting investment proposals worth ₹7,288 crore. Fisheries minister Saji Cherian, speaking at the valedictory session on Friday, said 28 investors had signed expressions of interest, marking a new chapter for the state’s blue economy.
Cherian described the outcome as one that “exceeded expectations” and said the event had set an example for other states to follow. Recalling chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s inaugural remarks, he noted that the conclave had opened doors for innovation and sustainable, inclusive development across Kerala’s coasts and seas.
The European Union, co-partnering the event along with the Government of India, urged Kerala to establish a permanent platform for engagement with EU states. EU ambassador to India Herve Delphin said that during a meeting with the chief minister, the envoys submitted a proposal to create such a mechanism, reflecting what he described as “Team Europe’s” strong interest in Kerala.
Delphin said the EU delegation saw multiple avenues of collaboration with the state, particularly in healthcare and IT, adding that the conclave built upon discussions from the global blue economy summit held in France earlier this year.
Kerala chief secretary Dr A Jayathilak pointed out that the conclave went beyond investment numbers to deliberate on issues such as sustainability, cutting-edge technology, climate change resilience, and global logistics cooperation. Kerala’s special representative in New Delhi, K V Thomas, added that despite hurdles in the run-up to the conclave, strong support from the chief minister and the organisational capacity of minister Cherian ensured the event’s success.
Cherian concluded that Blue Tides was more than a summit – it was the start of a long-term partnership for Kerala’s maritime growth.