The Hindu Business Line : Investment cell to be made more effective: CM

Investment plans
Non-resident Kannadigas keen to invest in the State.
Govt keen to develop Kolar Gold fields as industrial hub.
To boost tourism, steps to be taken to improve roads to heritage sites.

Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy

Mangalore , July 2

The Karnataka Government will make investment cell more effective to attract investments from non-resident Indians (NRIs), according to the Chief Minister, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Addressing presspersons of 27 districts through a videoconference on Sunday, Mr Kumaraswamy said that during his recent visits of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Singapore he had met several NRIs, especially non-resident Kannadigas, and they had expressed their desire to invest in the State.

The grouse of these investors was that the previous governments had not given much thought on their problems and investment issues.

"The existing investment cell for non-resident Indians will be made more effective," he said.

When told that NRIs from Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are looking at more towards their respective States than Karnataka, he denied it.

In fact, Bangalore has stood first in attracting foreign and NRI investments compared to other regions, he said, adding, "non-resident Kannadigas are very much interested in investing in Karnataka."

To a query on industrial development, he said many people are ready to invest in the automobile sector in Hubli-Dharwad region.

The Government will provide adequate infrastructure for those who are ready to invest. Apart from this, many information technology companies have shown interest to invest in that region.

The Government also wants to develop KGF (Kolar Gold Fields) as an industrial area. This matter has been discussed with the State Government officials. Tamil Nadu is also developing an industrial area at Hosur, near Bangalore, he said.

TOURISM

On tourism development, he said there are many heritage centres in northern Karnataka districts.

All steps will be taken to improve road infrastructure to these heritage centres.

The Government is ready to contribute its share for the development of railway infrastructure in Bijapur - one of the major northern Karnataka districts.

While submitting budget for 2006-07, the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Mr B.S. Yediyurappa, had allocated Rs 45 crore for tourism development in the State, he said.

To know about the problems of people in districts and to find solutions to them, the Chief Minister said, he would spend three days in a week in districts.

This step will be initiated as soon as the Assembly session is over in the State, Mr Kumaraswamy said.

CHICKUNGUNYA

To a query on the spread of chickungunya disease in the State, he said the Government has convened a meeting of the deputy commissioners of all the districts on July 5 to discuss the issue.

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