UK keen to collaborate with Kerala in healthcare, Fintech

The United Kingdom has expressed interest in collaborating with the Kerala government in areas such as higher education, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday.

Vijayan met with British Deputy High Commissioner Chandru Iyer here and discussed the possibilities for state collaboration with the UK in areas such as healthcare, education, and Fintech, among others.

“Had a fruitful discussion with the British Deputy High Commissioner, @chandruiyer, about potential UK-Kerala collaboration to improve critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and scientific research. Thank you for your insightful comments and support,” Vijayan tweeted.

Vijayan detailed his government’s efforts, saying it has been focusing more on the quality of higher education in the state and that there is ample scope for cooperation with Britain in that field.

“The Deputy High Commissioner has informed me of the plan to hold a World Education Forum. With the Department of Higher Education and Vice Chancellors, we will discuss the possibility of Kerala participating in the Forum,” the CM said in a Facebook post.

According to Vijayan, Britain is interested in the Graphene Centre and the Kerala Incubation Centre.

He told the British delegation that the Kerala government promotes startups and innovation.

He also stated that the southern state intends to establish such centres in fields such as biological science.

Iyer, who is in control of Kerala and Karnataka, stated that Britain is pleased to collaborate with the state, which is one of the best performing in India.

Alan Gemmell, Britain’s South Asia Trade Commissioner, and Kerala Chief Secretary V P Joy, among others, attended the conference. BW Businessworld