The Hindu : Business : International convention centre coming up at Thrissur

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Tuesday, Dec 20, 2005

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International convention centre coming up at Thrissur

Staff Reporter

EMKE group launches expansion programme in West Asia

THRISSUR: The EMKE Group of Industries is setting up an international convention centre at Puzhakkal, on the outskirts of the city.

At a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Thrissur Press Club, on Monday, M.A. Yusuffali, managing director of the group, said the convention centre, estimated at Rs. 30 crores, would have a helipad, a main hall with a seating capacity of 4,000, four mini-conference halls, a 1,000-seat dinner hall, a four-star hotel and parking space for 2,500 cars.

Work was fast progressing, and the centre would be opened by March. He said the group had launched an expansion programme in West Asia, its headquarter region, with an investment of Rs. 600 crores to Rs. 700 crores. The group had 12,500 workers, 8,000 of whom were Keralites. The strength of employees from the State would go up to 10,000 in June, when the expansion programme was completed.

Replying to questions, Mr. Yusuffali said lack of infrastructure and a political consensus on developmental issues was stumbling blocks in drawing industrial investment to the State. However, the trade unions had changed their attitude drastically and labour problems were no more seen as a hindrance to the State's industrial development.

He said the State needed facilities such as the proposed express highway. There should not have been any opposition to such infrastructure projects.

China was able to grow fast economically because of the emphasis it was laying on infrastructure development. Investors would be hesitant to come to the State if they felt that there could be shifts in industrial policies with change in governments.

So there must be a consensus on developmental issues among political parties, he added.

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