Doha Bank to hold investors' meet in Kerala

To mark the golden jubilee of the formation of Kerala state, Doha Bank - a premier bank of Qatar - is organising an investors' meet at Kochi next month.

Doha Bank, which has been in operation for the past 27 years, has been rated as the best bank of the Middle East. They have 25 branches with offices in US, Dubai, Singapore, Turkey and Japan.

"Our aim is to showcase Kerala to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to encourage foreign direct investment to the state and to India," R. Seetharaman, deputy chief executive of bank, told IANS Sunday.

Incidentally, this is the first time a reputed financial institution in the Middle East is taking a lead to promote investments in Kerala.

"We are confident that through this meet we will able to invite the cream of high value GCC companies, Sheikhs and leading personalities to Kochi. We are expecting around 250 top investors from various sectors from the six Middle Eastern countries," Seetharaman said.

Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has agreed to inaugurate the daylong meet, likely to be held Nov 11 or Nov 12.

"The chief minister was extremely receptive to our initiative and has pledged us all support," K.V. Samuel, a top Doha Bank official, said.

The investors are looking at the banking, tourism and education sectors.

Doha Bank has plans to operate from India and it also intends to collaborate with financial institutions in the country.

"We are confident that this meet will set the ball rolling for increasing bilateral trade between India and GCC," Seetharaman added.