The Hindu : `Only tourism can save Kerala'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 23, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

`Only tourism can save Kerala'

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, FEB. 22. The Union Minister of State for Commerce, Vidyasagar Rao, today said that efforts were on to establish links between rural infrastructure facilities and big business and industry.

He was speaking at a reception accorded to him by the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.

While the country as a whole had made tremendous progress in all fields in the last five years, Mr. Rao said, Kerala was going backward in the agricultural, industrial and commercial fields. Communism and capitalism would not save the State; only tourism could save it. The strides in the tourism sector would be beneficial for health and other sectors, he said.

"Kerala is the State which offers the lowest cost for cataract surgery in the country. Also, Kerala can work wonders in the field of Ayurveda," Mr. Rao said.

The Chamber secretary, T.P. Ahamed Koya, presented a memorandum to the Minister. The Chamber had highlighted the issues like the development of Beypore port (which is essential for the development of the entire Malabar region), international status for Kozhikode airport, the export of forest produces like cane, cane furniture, bamboo and handicraft items, development of vanilla cultivation and problems faced in spices export.

The Chamber president, M. Muzammil presided over the function.

The BJP State president, P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, and the Additional Commissioner, Customs and Central Excise, John Joseph were among those who spoke on the occasion.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala