Kitex's exit raises fresh doubts about Kerala as an investment destination

Asked about the episode, Vijayan reiterated that Kerala is one of India's most investor-friendly states

On July 9, 2021, an aircraft chartered by the Telangana government took off from Kochi airport for Hyderabad with a disgruntled Keralite industrialist on board. This was Sabu M Jacob, promoter and managing director of Kitex Garments, the world’s second-largest children’s garment producer. Days before, he had announced that he was moving his planned Rs 3,500-crore investment from Kerala.

Jacob said his decision to shift Kitex’s new project was prompted by a “witch-hunt” by the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Kitex Garments’ clients include global majors such as Ger­ber, Carter’s, Walmart, Ama­zon, Target, The Children’s Pla­ce and it had planned investments in