Malaysia is keen on collaborating with the Union Territory of Puducherry in three major thrust areas of heritage tourism, green industries and infrastructure development, Ahmed Fajarazam, Consul General of Malaysia in Chennai said on Tuesday.
Mr. Fajarazam, who called on Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy in his chamber in the Legislative Assembly, said that Malaysia was looking at the investment and also developmental opportunities in Puducherry.
Malaysia has identified three major areas including heritage tourism, green industries and infrastructure development including roads, airports and beach development. We are also looking at all areas of possible cooperation including solid waste and water management, he said.
Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said Puducherry was keen on associating the Malaysian Government for the development of industries and tourism sectors. “We can also development infrastructure like roads, flyovers and bring in entertainment centres besides working out arrangements for water sports,” he said.
The government is also keen to encourage investment by Malaysian government and its entrepreneurs in Puducherry and Karaikal regions to promote software parks and processing of sea food. Malaysia has already invested in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and a similar initiative in Puducherry will create employment opportunities.
Puducherry on its part would extend necessary sops in taxes and other sectors to lure foreign direct investment. A high level delegation from Malaysia would be on a visit to Puducherry in the next three weeks to hold talks with the Chief Secretary Manoj Parida on collaborative initiatives between Puducherry and Malaysia to set up software technology parks.
“The Puducherry government is also keen on reviving the Airport here. We will hold talks with the Tamil Nadu Government to get land available in the state for expansion of the runway,” he said. Revenue Minister M.O.H.F. Shahjahan said that Malaysia was keen on investing in industries and tourism sectors in Puducherry. Malaysia has already inked Memorandum of Understandings with other states. The discussions are in the preliminary stage and a delegation from Malaysia will visit Puducherry shortly, he said.
