Two-day global meet of Non-Resident Keralites from Jan 16

The Kerala government is organising a two-day global meet of Non-Resident Keralites here from January 16 to exchange ideas, identify potential areas of investments and address their key issues.
The Global NRK Meet, an initiative of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs (NORKA) and its field agency NORKA-ROOTS, is intended as a platform for Malayalis living abroad and in other states to interact directly with the government, discuss their issues and recommend solutions.
Besides, it will help in assisting policy formation and explore quality investment opportunities at home, a press release said.
Around 1,000 non-resident Keralites from within India and overseas are expected to participate in the Global NRK Meet to be held from January 16-17.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and cabinet ministers, besides senior officials from various departments will participate in the meet.
"Over 23.6 lakh Malayalis live and work outside Kerala and nearly 50 lakh of our population is dependent on them," said Minister for NORKA, K C Joseph.

"The socio-economic-cultural contribution of NRKs to their home state is invaluable and we are committed to resolving any issues they face."
The aim is to arrive at speedy solutions to challenges, including re-employment and rehabilitation of those who have had to return for various reasons and come up with new schemes for the welfare and convenience of Keralites living outside the state, he said.

Rani George, Secretary, NORKA and Director, NORKA-ROOTS, said the meet will also be a forum for NRKs to explore investment opportunities in Kerala.
"In 2013-14, our state received foreign remittances in excess of Rs 72,000 crore which gives an idea of the scale of the economic impact they are making.
"But we want this to be more participatory; we want NRKs to invest in infrastructure, industrial and development projects and be part of the state's growth story."
She said the government's strong focus on promoting public-private partnership (PPP) and the success of this model in various sectors, such as IT and social enterprises presents a sea of opportunities for NRKs.

NORKA Department was set up by the state government in 1996 to safeguard the rights and redress the grievances of non-resident Keralites.
NORKA-ROOTS, set up in 2002, acts as an interface between the government and NRKs and helps with the implementation of various schemes.