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Karnataka to boost auto sector, forge trade ties with Lanka

The Karnataka government is likely to approve the automobile policy, first of its kind in the country, before the elections, industrial development commissioner V P Baligar said today.

Talking to newsmen in Bangalore, he said the draft policy framed by the Confederation of Indian Industry, (southern region-Karnataka), in consultation with the government, was awaiting the Cabinet approval. The policy inter alia had suggested setting up of two autoparks in the state to give fillip to the automobile sector.

Baligar, who had led a trade and investment promotion delegation of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry to Sri Lanka, said it had been agreed in principle to establish institutional linkage for facilitating technology transfer between Karnataka and the island nation.

An agreement was likely to be signed between the Karnataka Council for Technological Upgradation and the Centre for Technology of the Central Province of Sri Lanka.

Assistance had been extended for setting up a tool room in Sri Lanka. The KCTU had already agreed for technology transfer with South Africa.

He said the Sri Lanka Trade Promotion Authority had been invited to organise an exclusive exhibition in the city to showcase their products and investment opportunities.

Baligar said several business deals were struck during the six-day visit that concluded on June 7. Keen interest was shown in products like weighing machines, jewellery making machines, joss sticks and sandal soaps.

Potential for a joint venture for production of value added graphites with Indian participation in Sri Lanka and joint promotion of tourism and development of special tourism projects covering destinations in India and Sri Lanka for marketing abroad were identified among other things.

Terming the visit as fruitful and useful, he said 160 inquiries were received. The delegations held discussion with trade organisations in the island nation.

The FKCCI is planning visits to other neighbouring countries like Bangladesh in a bid to promote Karnataka business.

He said the business leaders' summit of the SAARC region would be held in Bangalore in October this year.

It is being organised by the Karnataka government and the FKCCI in association and involvement of prominent chambers of commerce and trade promotions organisations in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.

A SAARC business forum also would be established in Bangalore, he added.

UNI

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