THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of the investment promotion initiatives launched by the Government, a business-technology meet will be conducted in Ernakulam, Industries Minister Elamaram Karim has said.

The meet will be held either in June or July, Mr. Karim said in reply to questions in the Assembly on Thursday.

It has been decided to organise investors meet and road shows in the country and abroad to project the State as an investor-friendly destination. The Global Investors Meet (GIM) organised by the previous Government in Kochi had brought investments worth Rs.377 crore.

The Single Window Act will be amended to clear the impediments for investors. Steps have been taken to reduce procedural delays in issuing clearances to start new industries.

Shobha Group has evinced interest to set up a high-tech city in Ernakulam at Rs.5,000 crore. This is expected to generate 54,000 jobs. The Government is studying the project of a Malaysian company to set up a satellite city at Kinallur in Kozhikode, he said. The Government is not opposed to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and it will be set up in a conducive manner. While all other States have joined the race for industrialisation, Kerala alone cannot afford to remain aloof.

The Government has decided to hand over the Kerala Hi-Tech Industries to the Defence Department. This is expected to bring in investment worth Rs.300 crore, he said.

Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy said that the Government was planning to regulate home nursing courses conducted by private institutions. Communicative English would be included in the nursing curriculum. Drug information centres would be set up in Government hospitals to create awareness about the use of drugs and their side effects. Transport Minister Mathew T.Thomas said that speed governors should be fixed in stage carriers and other vehicles before April 15.

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