Kochi is one of the largest cities of Kerala and its biggest metropolis.

The economy of the city can be classified as a business economy with concentration on the service sector.

Major business areas are Gold and Textile retail, Seafood and spices export, Information Technology, Tourism and allied services, Health Services, Banking, Shipbuilding and allied activities and Fishing.

The state government has given importance to the establishment of Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing enterprises to exploit the opportunities that have arisen in the field.

Projects include Kochi Info Park, Smart City Project, SEPZ (Special Export Processing Zone).

IT and BPO are seen as fields where there is employment and revenue potential for the city.

Demand is fuelled by remittances from NRIs, largely from the middle east.

Some of the major private industries include Madhava Pharmacy, Alliance Leathers, Binani Zinc Ltd.., Cochin Leathers Pvt. Ltd. United Catalysts India Ltd. Kainady Tanneries, Sri Shakthi Paper Mills Ltd. Travancore Rayon Ltd.

The establishment of some of the important government and public sector institutions also forms an integral part of the economy of Kochi. These include The Southern Naval Command, Cochin Shipyard, Cochin Port Trust, Kochi Refineries Ltd., Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT), The High Court of Kerala, Hindustan Insecticides Limited, Hindustan Organic Chemicals.

Some of the important educational institutes include Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Medical Trust Hospital, Ernakulam Medical Center, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training, Central Marine Fisheries and Research Institute, Model Engineering College.