Thaindian News

Kochi, Aug 31 (IANS) Some 51 countries have confirmed their participation in the “Emerging Kerala 2012″ investment meet to be held here Sep 12-14, officials said.

Alkesh Kumar Sharma, managing director of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), said the response has been tremendous. “Besides the 2,500 registered delegates, we will have around 300 VIPs comprising ambassadors, high commissioners and ministers from several countries.”

KSIDC is the nodal agency for the event which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“Projects of 20 different sectors will be showcased. And as soon as this meet ends the Emerging Kerala secretariat will monitor the progress of every project,” Sharma told IANS.

One of the mega projects is a high-speed rail corridor extending from the capital city Thiruvananthapuram to Mangalore at an investment of more than 1.50 lakh crore.

Other mega projects include the Kochi-Palakkad National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ), a seaplane service, a titanium sponge project and an oceanarium project in Kochi.

“The presentations of the proposals would be made by officials and there would be projects where the state government participates directly and others where the government would be the facilitator,” said Sharma.

The opposition, however, has waved the ‘red flag’ against the event.

“Look at the Centre, see the corruption scandal that has surfaced in the Coal sector. Similarly, this Emerging Kerala programme is showing signs of ‘emerging corruption’. Already there are reports land is going to be given away at Wagamon and Nelliyampathy in the name of investments,” said CPI-M leader V.S. Achuthanandan.

Achuthanandan said his party’s participation in the event would depend on the answers the Oommen Chandy government provide. “Once the government gives us answers, then we will decide whether to participate or not,” he said.