The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Penang seeks direct flights from Chennai

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 07, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Penang seeks direct flights from Chennai

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister says it will boost trade between the two States

COURTESY CALL: Chief Minister of Penang Koh Tsu Koon with Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: A direct flight between Chennai and Penang would help build trade and business synergies between Tamil Nadu and the Malaysian state, Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon said here on Tuesday.

It would save on travel time — less than three hours by a direct flight — and bring the places closer, he told a meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, southern region (CII-SR).

Mr. Koon, leading a delegation of business representatives and officials, said he had initiated discussion with two airlines for the introduction of the direct flight.

Once it stabilised, the service could be helpful to the people of the Malaysian state bound for the west coast of the U.S.

Describing it as the "most opportune time" to explore business opportunities in India, he said biotechnology, electronic hardware and iron and steel were some areas in which synergies could be achieved.

Noting that his visit was to realise and concretise the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement that India and Malaysia entered into a few years ago, he said: "Our firms are more ready now [to invest in Tamil Nadu]." One of the reasons for this was the changes and improvements over the last ten years in Chennai and the vibrant business climate.

Information exchange

Agreeing to a suggestion from a participant, he said there was need to improve exchange of information on trade and business opportunities between Tamil Nadu and Penang. There were plans to open an office of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority in Chennai.

Mr. Koon said in the field of electronic hardware, Penang laid emphasis on manufacturing high value, low volume equipment and products.

CII-SR regional council member and TVS Electronics Limited director Gopal Srinivasan said Penang was strong in the field of electronic hardware manufacturing and with Chennai also emerging in the area there were possibilities for collaboration.

Later, Mr. Koon called on Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

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