The Hindu : Kerala / Kozhikode News : Private participation must, say Ministers

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Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala - Kozhikode

Private participation must, say Ministers

Staff Reporter

Massive investments for Kochi, more for north Kerala

Plan to create jobs with the help of
the private sector
Malabar Convention Centre to come up

Elamaram Karim

Kozhikode: Industries Minister Elamaram Karim has said that the State government is considering giving sanction to projects estimated at Rs. 10,000 crore drawn up by the private sector for developing Kochi and its suburbs. Bigger projects have been envisaged for north Kerala.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the State Institute of Hospitality Management at West Hill on Monday. Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was present.

Mr. Karim said around five acres had been handed over to the Department of Tourism for constructing buildings for the institute.

He said the government had decided to construct the multi-crore Malabar Convention Centre on 3.75 acres of land of the defunct Kerala Soaps and Oils Ltd. at West Hill.

He said Infrastructure Kerala Ltd., a government body set up to increase the pace of industrial infrastructure development in the State, had submitted the convention centre project. The work would begin soon.

The proposed centre will seat 2,500 people and have four mini auditoriums, a hotel, an art gallery, exhibition centres and car parking space. Kochi and Thrissur had international convention centres. But Kozhikode had none, making the city an unfavourable destination for international conferences.

Mr. Karim said that government was planning to set up a global institute of industrial technology for training professionals for industries in Malappuram. The land acquisition process for a Central university in Kasaragod had begun.

He said the government was committed to creating employment opportunities in the State instead of letting people scout for jobs abroad. However, the government alone could not shoulder the burden; so, it was depending on the private sector. Mr. Kodiyeri emphasised the necessity of private participation in the development of the State. The citizens should evolve a development culture. Political parties need to prioritise their activities on development needs.

He said the government would spend Rs. 250 crore on the tourism sector this year. The funds would be pooled from the State budget and the Centre. Kerala would soon be facing competition from other States since the latter had now given importance to the tourism sector.

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