'Partner Kerala Meet' to exhibit projects worth Rs 7,000 cr

Urban Affairs Minister said that at this event govt is eyeing small investors in the private-public partnership model

Over 100 projects worth around Rs.7,000 crore will be introduced at the two-day Kerala business meet that begins here Jan 24, a minister said Saturday.

Kerala's urban development department is holding a 'Partner Kerala Meet' to attract investments to public infrastructure projects in the in the municipalities and city corporations.

These projects - to be implemented in the state's five corporations and 60 municipalities - include plans such as waste management, sewerage, flyovers, bridges, parking lots, bus terminals, comfort stations, shopping complexes and multiplexes.

Speaking to IANS, state Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali said that at this event the government is eyeing small investors in the private-public partnership (PPP) model.

"We do not want a big crowd (big multi-national companies). So far about 750 prospective investors have registered," he said.

"The government will act as the facilitator and agreements would be inked between investor and respective corporations/municipalities," Ali told IANS.

He said the list of participants includes non-resident Keralites, local business houses and individual businessmen.

"We felt that we should provide a helping hand to these corporations and municipalities, who are currently short of funds for building and upgrading civic amenities and hence decided to do this investor meet," added Ali.