The Kerala government is taking strides towards positioning itself as a global hub for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR). In a significant move, the government has proposed the formulation of a comprehensive policy for AVGC-XR, a technology with immense potential to transform the state into a knowledge-based economy.
On Friday, the Kerala Startup Mission announced that the draft AVGC-XR policy would be made public to solicit feedback and suggestions from various stakeholders, including the public, experts, professionals, and investors.
According to a statement, Kerala possesses substantial capabilities in the technology domain, making it well-suited to emerge as a global AVGC-XR hub. The government envisions shaping the proposed policy into a clear and transformative framework, propelling the state forward in the tech-driven landscape. To achieve this, the government will actively seek the views and suggestions of a diverse group, including CEOs of global companies, investors, professionals, academics, and students.
The policy sets ambitious targets, aiming to create 50,000 jobs in AVGC-XR in the state by 2029 by facilitating the establishment of at least 250 firms, including multinational companies. Additionally, it seeks to enable the state to claim at least 10% of the export of AVGC-XR-based products and services from the country.
As part of this initiative, 150 AVGC-XR startups are slated to be incubated, and AVGC-XR labs will be integrated into the work-near-home project of K-DISC (Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council). To serve as a central hub for AVGC-XR activities, a 20-acre site in Thiruvananthapuram will be designated for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence.
The move aligns with a broader trend, as Tamil Nadu’s Information Technology and Digital Services Minister, P T R Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, announced plans to launch the Tamil Nadu-Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics Policy earlier in September. The central government has also shown interest in the AVGC sector, forming a dedicated task force in February 2022, later constituted under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in April.
India, with its potential to capture 5% (~$40 Bn) of the global market share by 2025, anticipates an annual growth of around 25-30% in the AVGC sector, creating over 1,60,000 new jobs annually, as stated by the government.
