Among the proposals
being considered by
the Kerala government
to bring relief to the
NRKs are starting a shipping
service from Kerala to
the Gulf and reviving the
“Kerala Airways” project. The
pangs of Gulf Malayalees
who are being squeezed by
private airlines following the
AI strike have moved the
state government into action.
|
Among the proposals
being considered to bring
relief to the NRKs are starting
a ship service from Kerala
to the Gulf and reviving the
Kerala Airways project. Another
ambitious plan is to
launch a special bank for NRI
investments.
|
The ship service project
will be presented at the
“Emerging Kerala” summit
this November. The idea is to
provide Malayalees working
in the Gulf nations with a
cheaper mode of transportation,
said NORKA Minister KC
Joseph. The Kerala Airways
project was mooted by the
previous UDF government,
but it was shelved because to
start an international air service,
a minimum of five years’
experience in the domestic
sector was essential.
|
But now, with private
airlines increasing the fares
arbitrarily, the government
was reviving the project. The
proposal to start a special
bank for NRI investments has
been placed before RBI . The
government was seriously
looking at a mechanism
whereby NRI investments
can be effectively used for
the state’s flagship projects
such as mono-rail, Kochi
Metro and the Kannur airport.
Currently an official delegation
from the state is on
a visit to ensure maximum
participation in the Emerging
Kerala summit, he said.
The state has also asked the
Centre to appoint at least one
Malayalee in the embassies
in the Gulf countries.
|