The Hindu Business Line : Kanara Chamber seeks investment from Gulf region

Mangalore, Sept. 26 Attracting investments in Mangalore from Gulf countries and portraying of the region as a destination for IT (information technology) and textile industries are on the agenda of the new body at the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here.

Mr K. Narasimha Prabhu, who was elected President of KCCI for 2007-08 on Tuesday, told Business Line that the region is all set for a huge growth in various sectors.

In such a situation, KCCI is planning to take a delegation to Gulf countries for mobilising investments in Mangalore SEZ (special economic zone) project and other projects.

Talks are on with various NRIs in this regard.

The KCCI delegation may visit Gulf countries during January-February period, he said.

KCCI is one of the stakeholders in the Mangalore SEZ Ltd.

Mr Prabhu said that KCCI wants to make Mangalore region as a destination for IT and textile sectors.

“We are planning to organise state and national-level conferences with focus on textile and IT industries. We want to promote Mangalore as an IT and textile destination,” he said.

These are environment-friendly industries, and the region has adequate skilled manpower for these sectors.

‘SADASYA SAMPARK’

Another new initiative during the year will be the ‘sadasya sampark abhiyan’. Under this, the KCCI will go to the place of members and listen to their problems.

He said he would visit industrial estates in Dakshina Kannada and would have interactive sessions with the members of other chambers of commerce in the district. This will help get a better idea of the problems of the industrial sector and represent them to the concerned in a better way, he said.

Mr Prabhu said that Mangalore region, which is connected with three railway networks such as Konkan Railway, Southern Railway and South Western Railway, needs a separate railway division.

At present, Mangalore city comes under the Palghat division of the Southern Railway. If divisional railway status is given to Mangalore, it will help boost the growth of the region.

Flight services

Apart from seeking more flights for various Gulf destinations, KCCI will also demand for flight service to Mauritius and East African countries.

KCCI will bring pressure on all the concerned for improvement of roads and national highways in the region, he said.

Maximum efforts will be made to tap potential of the region in tourism sector. He said that thrust will be given for promoting medical, health and pilgrim tourism in the region.

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