Britain Keen to invest in key sectors in state

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: During the ‘Emerging Kerala’ Global Connect campaign, Britain showed keen interest to invest in IT, health care, infrastructure and education sectors of the state, and promised to share the project profiles with major companies in the UK. Mike Nithavrianakis, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, held discussions with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his senior officials on the investment opportunities in the core sectors to accelerate growth in these sector. The Kerala team apprised Nithavrianakis of a number of major upcoming projects, including NIMZ (National investment manufacturing zone), development of minor ports, excellence in higher education, LNG-based power plants and development of inland waterways. ‘’The British official expressed keen interest in the projects and also promised to share these project profiles with top companies in the UK,’’ said  V Somasundaran, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries). Plans are also on the anvil to invited someone of the ministerial level from the UK. The British team evinced interest in sectors like Information Technology, health care, infrastructure and education, which incidentally are the core sectors of ‘Emerging Kerala’ Global Connect event slated to be held in Kochi during September.‘’The UK team was very impressed with the positive response and appreciated the interaction with the Chief Minister and his team. In particular, they noted the highly skilled workforce and the quality of life in Kerala,’’Industries Secretary Alkesh Sharma said. The British team held separate meetings with K Jayakumar, Chief Secretary, Rajeev Sadanandan, Principal Secretary (health) and T K Manoj Kumar, Principal Secretary (tourism). Discussions were also held with the CEO, Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd, managing director, Kochi Metro Rail, and director, Asian School of Business. The team also visited Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram and Technocity, Pallipuram to get first-hand knowledge of the activities and business opportunities there.