Kerala announces NORKA Private Industrial Estate Scheme 2026 for expatriate entrepreneurs

On 1 November 2026, Kerala announced the NORKA Private Industrial Estate Scheme 2026 to help expatriate entrepreneurs and groups of expatriates establish industrial parks in the state. It is part of the state government’s 100-day action plan.

Eligibility and infrastructure support

Eligible applicants include returning expatriates who own land or hold a 30-year lease, their specified family members, companies in which expatriates are major shareholders, cooperatives, charitable societies, registered partnership firms and MSME consortia. The Industry Department provides reimbursement of up to ₹3 crore for infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water supply, drainage, treatment plants and common facilities.

Land holdings of 3–7 acres fall under the Standard Design Factory category, while those of 7–15 acres are classified as industrial estates. A Standard Design Factory must be a multi-storey complex with at least 10,000 square feet of built-up area and five units, each of at least 1,000 square feet. Approved parks receive single-window clearance and specified relaxations under building rules.

Implementation

The Directorate of Industries and Commerce and District Industries Centres implement the scheme. Applicants can contact their District Industries Centre for the terms and application process.

Important Facts for Exams

• Shared infrastructure: Industrial parks can reduce per-business infrastructure costs by concentrating dedicated infrastructure within a defined area.
• Environmental zoning: Industrial parks can be zoned to separate industrial uses from urban areas, aiming to reduce their environmental and social effects.
• NORKA-ROOTS institutional role: NORKA-ROOTS, established in 2002, is the field agency of Kerala’s Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department, distinct from the department itself.
• Indian MSME classification: India classifies enterprises as micro, small or medium using a composite test of investment in plant and equipment and annual turnover.