
Kerala, better known as God’s own country, is one of the few states to have marketed its natural beauty successfully to the leisure tourism sector. The state’s unique heritage and cultural diversity have attracted tourists from all over the world. Its strategic location on the trans-national trade corridor, rich natural resources, and simple and transparent procedures make the state appropriately suited for investments in major sectors such as tourism, IT/ITeS, manufacturing and mining.
Kerala has the highest human development index with the highest literacy rate, life expectancy and the highest ratio of females to males in the country. Foreign Direct Investments have brought-in technological advancement in various industrial sectors and resulted in a growth in export production.
The state’s GSDP was about Rs 8.76 trillion (US$ 125.27 billion) in 2019-20. According to Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), during April 2000 to June 2019, FDI inflows into Kerala, including Lakshadweep, totaled to US$ 2.24 billion.
Total merchandise exports from Kerala stood at US$ 9.77 billion during 2018-19.
The beaches, wildlife reserves, backwaters and hill stations make Kerala a popular vacation destination for tourists. It is also famous for its medical tourism and offers medical therapies like Ayurveda.
The state is a prime exporter of spices, marine products, cashew, coffee and pickles. Two-thirds of the state's export income comes from food processing industry.
The state is home to 48 co-operative societies, and produced handloom worth $53.4 mn in 2015-16. Handicrafts with ivory, bamboo, palm leaves and stones are famous in Kerala. The state takes pride in its handicraft industry and has established 575 power looms.
The state is home to more than 500 IT companies, employing more than 50,000 professionals. IT organizations such as the Techno Park in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, makes Kerala a key developmental state in IT related infrastructure.
Andhra Pradesh, the 10th most populated state in India, is home to about 4.1% of the country's total population. The state's population of 49.4 mn is equivalent to the population of Spain.