The Hindu Business Line : Kerala to have exclusive zone for non-residents

KERALA is likely to set up an exclusive economic zone for its non-resident population as part of the `city-within-city' concept evolved by the Centre.

This became clear after the Chief Minister, Mr A. K. Antony, conveyed his interest in the concept to the visiting Union Minister of State for Non-Resident Affairs, Mr Jagdish Tytler. To be set up mostly in State capitals, these zones would feature modern infrastructure facilities such as townships, hotels and malls for non-residents of the respective States.

Andhra Pradesh is reported to have decided on setting up two such zones - one in Hyderabad and another in Visakhapatnam. As per the original programme approved by the Prime Minister, these zones were to be set up on a priority basis in the capitals of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab as these States account for a large number of people of the Indian Diaspora.

Mr Tytler told newspersons here that the Non-Resident Affairs Department was exploring possibilities of setting up export processing zones (EPZs) to attract NRI investments. Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have evinced interest in such economic zones.

The Centre proposed to appoint development officers in countries with heavy concentration of NRIs. To begin with, development officers will be appointed shortly in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Malaysia and West Asia. The officers would be authorised to deal with various problems being faced by Indian nationals in those countries.

Mr Tytler said that he would discuss with Civil Aviation Minister the issue of introducing budget airlines in the Gulf sector. As for the demand for voting rights for NRIs and relaxations in income tax laws, the Union Minister said that there were some hitches in the way of effecting decisions. However, he promised to examine the possibilities of a separate legislation relating to income tax of NRIs.

The Centre would work out a package to attract NRI investment in tourism and education sectors and facilitate transfer of technology and joint ventures with local Indians. Of an estimated 35-million-strong Indian Diaspora, about 20 million could possibly invest anything between $5,000 and $500 million.

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