Date:27/07/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/07/27/stories/2004072701571900.htm

Back BMW team in Kochi

Our Bureau

Kochi , July 26

KERALA'S attempts to get BMW to set up an assembling unit in the State has received a fillip with a team from the German auto major visiting Kochi for a second time in three months.

According to official sources, a four-member team from BMW today met with officials of the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) and Cochin Special Economic Zone.

It is learnt that the BMW team, which had earlier visited the State in November last year and April this year, is studying the facets of the State's social life and labour activities in Kerala during the current visit.

Sources say that BMW is planning to enter India by setting up an assembling unit, before undertaking full-fledged manufacturing of its range of cars.

The State Government has offered a 25-acre plot at Kalamassery near here for the plant, which if materialised would boost the State's efforts to attract investments.

During the previous visit, BMW officials had met the Chief Minister, the Opposition leader, the Industries Minister and senior Government officials.

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra are also vying for the BMW plant. Kerala hopes that the proximity of Kochi port and absence of other automobile makers in the State would give it an edge over others.