The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : City set to become ‘global epicentre of business meets’

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Tuesday, Jun 03, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

City set to become ‘global epicentre of business meets’

Staff Reporter

Work on Rs.805-cr. convention centre begins tomorrow

Rs.205-crore first phase to be completed in 2011
State to have 26 per cent and K. Raheja Corp 74 per cent equity participation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first phase of the International Convention Centre Complex (ICCC) coming up near Akkulam tourist village here under the public- private partnership initiative will be completed in 2011.

Announcing this at a press conference here on Monday, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M. Vijayakumar said work on the ICCC would start with Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan laying the foundation stone on June 4.

With an approximate investment of Rs.805 crore, the project would be the biggest investment in the tourism sector of the State so far.

The convention centre would be an asset to Kerala and would come in handy for the development of the proposed IT-Tourism Corridor between Kazhakuttom and Kovalam, he said.

Water hyacinths

Replying to a query, Mr. Vijayakumar said the government would soon come up with a project to permanently remove the water hyacinths that had almost engulfed Akkulam lake.

The attempt of the government was to eliminate the water weeds, commence boating activities and restore the old glory of the tourist village, he said.

Being set up in 18.61 hectares of land, the ICCC is a joint venture between Kerala Tourism and Chalet Hotels Limited and K. Raheja Corp. A joint venture company, Chalet Hotels & Properties (Kerala) Pvt. Ltd., had been formed for executing the ICCC project.

Tourism Secretary V. Venu said the State government would have an equity participation of 26 per cent and K. Raheja Corp, 74 per cent in the project, which would be implemented under the Build, Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) arrangement. The lease period would be for 90 years.

Fillip to MICE tourism

In the Rs.205-crore first phase, an area of 3,10,000 sq.ft would be developed. This would include a convention centre which could accommodate 1,100 persons and a 249-room five star hotel, 25 poolside luxurious cottages, marina, jetties, water sports facilities and parking facilities.

Chief Operating Officer, Chalet Hotels Ltd., Ramnidhi Wasan, said the State capital would become the “global epicentre of business meets” once the soft opening takes place in January 2011.

Apart from giving a fillip to MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition) tourism, Mr. Wasan said, the ICCC would be an icon project in the region. It would attract international as well as domestic events and the unique facility would act as an anchor for other projects to develop and foster tourism in the region.

Second phase

In the second phase, expansion of the convention centre, construction of service apartments, remaining villas, retail space and commercial offices would be taken up.

Mr. Wasan said a decision on the second phase would be taken on completion of the first phase.

V. Sivankutty, MLA, and Director of Tourism M. Sivasankar also attended the press conference.

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