KOCHI: Kerala is planning to roll out a set of policies to create a conducive ecosystem for the growth of electronic hardware sector. The aim of the policy is to set up an electronics manufacturing hub in the state by leveraging on its skilled human resources and high consumption.The Government of Kerala has already made clear its intent of promoting electronics hardware manufacturing in the state. For this, policy initiatives like setting ups hardware parks and funding for EMCs are being introduced.The state government had earlier brought out an Electronic System, Design and Manufacturing policy to boost the sector in the state. It envisions turning Kerala into preferred destination for ESDM investment and a leader in electronic design and embedded software. The policy will focus on skill development, promoting start-ups and innovation and creating quality infrastructure for manufacturing.The Kerala Electronics and Hardware Mission on Monday submitted a well-researched and detailed report to the government outlining the potential, challenges and road map for the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) sector. The “Road map for Hardware Manufacturing in Kerala” was handed over to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by Dr. Jayasankar Prasad C, special officer for the Kerala Hardware Mission. M. Sivasankar, IT Secretary, was present on the occasion.As a follow up to the budget declaration and the Electronics and IT policy of 2017, the Electronics and Hardware Mission was set up to coordinate the activities of multiple agencies working in the sector; and to create a single point of contact for various strategic projects and investment proposals.“Overall, the report indicates a potential for Kerala to leverage its strengths in human resources, start-up ecosystem, high consumption and a proactive policy to establish a manufacturing hub in electronics and related hardware”, the IT secretary said.