Kerala unveils roadmap to attract GCC investments

Kerala unveiled a strategic roadmap aimed at attracting Global Capability Centre (GCC) investments when the Global Capability Centre (GCC) Feasibility Report of Kerala IT was released by Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty at Technopark during the 'Kerala GCC Outlook 2026' conclave. The report, presented as a blueprint to position the state as a preferred GCC destination, follows independent analysis by Colliers India that identified Thiruvananthapuram as an emerging strategic hub for GCCs, governance, research, and technology in South India.

"The report is a vital step for transforming Kerala into the most preferred GCC destination in the country," Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said at the event, underscoring the state's intent to convert its talent base and established IT ecosystem into increased GCC activity.

The feasibility report, presented by Srinivasan Sarvabhouman, CFO of Bengaluru-headquartered ANSR, maps Kerala's readiness and sets out a strategic roadmap to attract and scale GCC investments. Key metrics highlighted at the conclave show Kerala currently hosts 45 operational GCCs, with a government target to expand this number to 150. Officials estimate that reaching this target could generate two lakh jobs by 2031.

Stakeholders outline strengths and gaps

Speakers at the conclave — which brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, GCC executives, consultants and ecosystem stakeholders — framed Kerala's advantages and the areas requiring focused action. Seeram Samabasiva Rao, Special Secretary, Department of Electronics & IT, said GCCs are central to the next wave of technological transformation and high-value employment creation globally. He emphasised the state's ambition to scale operations and employment through the proposed roadmap.

• Talent pool and education: Suja Chandy, Chief Sustainability Officer (Global) & Managing Director, India Zafin, said, "Kerala can be a niche destination for GCCs to start their operation owing to the State’s quality education institutions that generate readily available talent pool." She called for greater investment in academia–industry collaboration, with the government acting as enabler, to sustain the talent pipeline.
• Infrastructure and incubation: Hrishikesh Nair, Chief Operating Officer, Brigade Enterprises, urged the state to develop ready-to-occupy incubation spaces and to invest more in quality infrastructure to attract additional GCC facilities.
• Third-party validation: The report builds on a Colliers India study that singled out Thiruvananthapuram as an emerging regional hub, lending external validation to the state's positioning strategy.

Outlook

The feasibility report and the discussions at the Kerala GCC Outlook 2026 conclave lay out actionable priorities: deepen industry–academia linkages, accelerate infrastructure readiness, and market Kerala's skilled workforce to prospective GCC investors. With a clear target of expanding from 45 to 150 GCCs and the ambition to create two lakh jobs by 2031, the state has set measurable goals. Implementation will hinge on coordinated public–private efforts, investment in incubation and workplace assets, and sustained collaboration between government agencies, education institutions and global GCC operators such as ANSR and consultancy partners highlighted during the event.