KOCHI : Kerala will roll out a series of major development projects aimed at strengthening its historic links with the Arab world and positioning the southern Indian state as a global destination for tourism, investment, aviation, healthcare and education, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said on Monday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Indo-Arab Connect 2026 conference in Kochi, Satheesan said attracting more tourists and investors from Arab countries would be a key priority for his government.

“The people of the Arab countries and Keralites share a deep, brotherly relationship,” Satheesan said, adding that the government wanted to build on those ties by drawing more investment and visitors to Kerala.

Among the projects outlined was Mission Samudra, an initiative aimed at integrating Kerala’s coastline, international ports, container terminal and smaller ports into a wider maritime and waterways network.

In a second phase, the project would extend to the state’s 44 rivers and major backwaters, Satheesan said.

The government plans cruise services linking Kochi with Gulf countries and Goa, alongside coastal services stretching from Kasaragod in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south.

Kerala also aims to shift between 50% and 60% of freight movement to waterways in an effort to ease congestion on its roads, he said.

Aviation and tourism push

Satheesan said Kerala would seek to develop itself as an aviation hub by leveraging its international airports, with plans for pilot training institutes and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

An international convention centre with modern facilities is also planned near Kochi airport.

The government is prepared to provide 30 acres of land in Kochi for what Satheesan described as India’s first oceanarium. An international maritime museum showcasing Kerala’s more than 2,000-year-old maritime trading heritage is also planned.

Satheesan said archaeological excavations at Muziris had uncovered evidence of ancient trading links between Kerala and 31 countries, and the government would seek to preserve that heritage while developing tourism around it.

Other proposals include a cultural park named after writer M T Vasudevan Nair in Kozhikode and new tourism destinations in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and other parts of the state.

The government also plans a Knowledge Valley project aimed at establishing Kerala as an international centre for knowledge and healthcare, including efforts to attract prominent overseas universities.

Integrated rehabilitation centres combining Ayurveda and allopathic medicine, modelled on European systems, are also planned, Satheesan said.