Kerala explores cooperation with Russia in developmental projects

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) The Left-ruled Kerala has sought Russian investment and its techonology in the areas of titanium, steel, infrastructure and tourism.

State Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem held an hour long discussion with Russian Ambassador in India, Mr Vyacheslov Irubnikov on the various possibilities of collaboration.

The meeting comes a week after Mr Irubnikov had a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan.

Mr Kareem told mediapersons here today that the state had sought the help of Russia to provide its technology in Titanium Sponge, alloys and metals.

Russia was a world leader in the field of Titanium and the only research institute in the field was working in that country, he said.

Since Kerala had a rich deposit of minerals, any collaboration with Russia would go a long way in helping the state in its industrialisation efforts.

He had requested Mr Irubnikov to provide the advance Russian technology and investment to set up a steel plant in Kerala, which is considered to be industrially backward.

Mr Kareem said he had also sought cooperation of Russia in infrastructure development and tourism, and participation in various developmental projects.

''The response of the Ambassador is very positive and he has agreed to explore the feasibility of the projects suggested by our side,'' Mr Kareem said, adding that the officials would meet later to take the idea forward and formulate modalities.

Mr Kareem, who later held a meeting with Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, said, he had discussed a proposal to set up a second Rubber Park in Pathanamthitta district, which produces huge quantity of high-quality rubber.

Apollo Tyres Chairman Omkar Kanwar, who was also present at the meeting, had agreed to consider investing in the proposed Rubber Park, he added.

During his meeting with Union Textiles Minister Shankar Singh Vaghela, Mr Kareem discussed the proposed Integrated Textile Park in Palakkad and the upcoming National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at Kannur.

He said he also had a meeting with Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and requested him to expedite the Petronet LNG project at Kochi. Mr Deora had agreed to participate in a review meeting at Kochi on May 12.

Mr Kareem said Defence Minister A K Antony had promised him to help the public sector units in the state which were manufacturing products used by Defence establishments.

Kerala had submitted 13 projects for assistance from the Centre during the current financial year, the minister said. The proposed outlay for the projects is Rs 2000 crore.

UNI