Vayalar Ravi asks cash-rich NRIs to invest in Kerala

Kochi: Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi on Wednesday made a fervent plea to the cash-rich non-resident Indians (NRIs) to seriously consider investing in Kerala.

"Gone are the olden days where Kerala's labour unrest was always news. I and the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy were strong trade union leaders but that's a thing of the past and today Kerala is one state where there are no industrial disputes at all and I call upon you to seriously apply your mind to invest in Kerala," said Mr Ravi.

Mr Ravi made his appeal in an address to the gathering of cash-rich investors at the Kerala Session at the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) on Wednesday.

"I request all of you who have plans to invest in the state to begin a dialogue with Chandy, who has a special team where projects are being drawn up," added Mr Ravi.

Mr Ravi was speaking soon after Sam Pitorda, who heads the prime minister's National Innovation Council, listed out a series of projects that has been analysed by his team which would change Kerala's face.

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"We have listed out a few projects like setting up of two knowledge cities,...a waterway in the state to transport goods, to establish clusters for traditional industries besides pooling the Ayurveda promotion efforts and also setting up of skill development centres. All these require investment...," said Mr Pitroda.

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