Date:13/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/13/stories/2006111320000300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Builders' meet in December

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Builders' Association of India (BAI), Kochi, will host BAI-National Convention 2006 (NATCON) between December 2 and 4, said chairman of the organising committee for BAI-NATCON M.V. Antony here on Sunday.

This is the first time in 65 years that BAI has chosen Kochi to host the All India Builders' Convention. About 2,000 delegates representing every aspect of the construction industry are expected to participate in the mega event that will be inaugurated by Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram at Hotel Le Meridien.

Kochi has been identified as one of the hubs of construction industry in the country. The city expects investments ranging between five and eight billion U.S. dollars over the next five years and deserved to host the mega event, he said.

Ajit Gulabchand, chairman and managing director of Hindustan Construction Company Limited, will deliver a keynote address. A technical seminar will be inaugurated by E. Sreedharan, chairman and managing director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

V.S. Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, will be the chief guest at the valedictory function. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chief Operating Officer of Infosys Technologies, will deliver the keynote address. Various Union and State Ministers too are expected to attend the inaugural and valedictory functions.