The Germans are coming to Cochin

by Nikhil

Welcome back!

Finally the good times are back.

Cochin is all set to be on the BMW map.

Cochin missed Volkswagen by a whisker, thanks to the efforts of Andhra Pradesh.(Even though AP couldn’t make it in the end- Volks is still undecided whether to set up their facility in Vizag)With the entry of BMW (hope it works out!) Kerala will have it largest industry. In a state notorious for its industry unfriendly climate this would become an icebreaker.

Why is BMW coming in?

Kerala Govt. has agreed to “sell off”(or gift?) HMT owned land in Kalamassery to BMW. So, BMW is going to get prime land that is already on the “industrial map”.Well connected by road, air and sea this facility can be used to build (Completely Knocked Down) versions and parts of vehicles and assemble them.

Cochin port can be used as a nodal point for their exports. (Initially to import equipments)With the coming in of International Transshipment Terminal soon the value of Cochin port is sure going to increase.

BMW has chosen the right time to put in their money.

Advantage Cochin over Karnataka, AP and Maharashtra as far as the BMW is concerned is the confluence of a world-class airport and seaport.

Even Vizag that enticed Volks cannot give a fair deal as Vizag port is much farther than Cochin owing to its location. (Eastern coast, so ships should travel via Colombo)

Why did Kerala fail in getting Volks in?

Kerala could not provide land as per Volks’ needs. Reason- In a state with a very high population density that is almost uniformly distributed, there is a severe scarcity of land.Any conventional industry would make people voice their concerns over pollution, that’s quite natural.

(This is not the case with say Karnataka or AP where land is available far from human inhabitations)

Nara Chandrababu Naidu was successful in taking the Volks to Vizag but as told earlier Volks is still thinking whether to or not to.

Hope BMW’s testimonial opens up the eyes of the guys at Volks.