Thiruvananthapuram, May 4 (IANS): The Kerala chapter of industry body Confederation of Indian Industry CII) Friday said it would play a more proactive role in grooming the state into an investment destination of choice.

V.K. Mathews, chairman of CII Kerala and executive chairman of IBS Software, told reporters that the industry body would work towards engaging the investors and the government in shaping the business environment of the state.

Mathews said the state government was open to suggestions and ideas from the industry body and CII Kerala would make the best use of this opportunity.

"India is in the midst of unprecedented economic challenges and it is against this background that new teams in CII assume charge at the national, regional and state levels. This makes the role of the teams more demanding," said Mathews.

According to Mathews, the Kerala unit of CII has already charted out a plan to promote business and create an ecosystem for industrial growth in the state.

The priorities include creation of a centre of excellence for entrepreneurship and innovation for micro, small and medium enterprises; managing solid waste in the state; and building a high speed rail corridor to connect the northern tip of the state to the state capital, he said.

The industry body will also organise a three-day business conclave in the commercial hub of Kochi in September to bring together investors and policy makers on one platform. The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the industry body said.

"'Emerging Kerala' will be the anchor event for promoting the state to the outside world. In fact, the theme for CII Kerala for 2012 is 'Reviving Economic Growth Through Emerging Kerala'," Mathews said.