Investment opportunities abound in Kerala’s tourism sector. (AN photo)

Orion Sargam, a business organization set up by a group of non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Kerala, are to intensify their investments in tourism, infrastructure, real estate and agricultural projects in the south Indian state, according to its president Rafeek Younus.

“We also intend to launch another important project dedicated to low-income Keralites working in Saudi Arabia,” he said. Rafeek said his organization’s project for the low-income expatriates was aimed at participating them in investment projects along with major foreign and NRK (non-resident Keralites) investors. We’ll offer them shares of smaller amounts with the aim of supporting them and improving their economic and social condition,” he explained.

Sargam’s move goes in line with the new Kerala government’s plan to mobilize NRK funds for constructive projects in the state. “A company will be formed to initiate fund mobilization from NRKs and the fund will be utilized in constructive projects,” Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told Arab News in an interview recently. NRKs contribute 200 billion rupees ($4.3 billion) to state coffers annually.

Speaking about the Indo-Saudi Tourism Mart, scheduled for Nov. 22-24 in Dammam, Younus said it would help promote Saudi investment in Kerala’s promising tourism sector and cultural exchange between the two countries. The three-day event, which is first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, is being held under the aegis of Dr. Abdulla Saihati, chairman of Saihati Group of Companies and chief patron of the Saudi Arabian Chapter of Soorya, one of the largest international cultural organizations with 22 chapters worldwide. “The Tourism Mart is organized by Sargam with full support of Kerala Tourism, the Embassy of India and the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry,” said Younus, the chief architect of the event that includes a tourism seminar at the chamber’s auditorium on Nov. 22 and a Kerala business meet at Sheraton Hotel in Dammam on Nov. 23.

“Friday, the last day of the mart, will be a busy day with three main programs -- a tourism exhibition, an India food festival and an Indo-Saudi cultural evening. All these programs will be held at Saudi Amusement Park, Halfmoon Beach in Alkhobar,” he said, adding that both Indian and Saudi artists would take part in the cultural programs including Saudi folklore dances.

Prominent destination companies, tour promoters, tour operators and other tourism-related industry players from India and Saudi Arabia will take part in the event. “We will take the opportunity to enlighten Saudi businessmen and investors about potential investment opportunities available in Kerala’s tourism and infrastructure sectors,” he said.

Younus expressed his satisfaction over the response from Saudi investors. “The response from the Saudi business people is very positive and many of them have shown interest to invest in Kerala, encouraged by India’s investment-friendly policies,” he said. “After the mart, a delegation of Saudi and NRI businessmen will visit Kerala to explore potential investment opportunities.

“Our chief patron Dr. Saihati visited Kerala last year to inaugurate Soorya Festival and explore investment opportunities,” Younus said. He has already set up two companies in Kochi to carry out investment projects in Kerala. “The first company named Saihati Tourist Resorts intends to invest around SR50 million. The second company will focus on real estate and infrastructure projects,” he added. Rafeek is the managing director of the two companies.

Orion Sargam was formed in 2005 in Alkhobar by 25 members of Sargam Cultural Association, a multidimensional and nonprofit organization, with a view to introduce Indian culture and art forms to the people of Saudi Arabia as well as the younger generation of Indian community living in the Kingdom. Soorya Krishnamoothy, known as the ambassador of Indian culture, honored Sargam Cultural Association by declaring it as the Saudi Arabian Chapter of Soorya. “We have been organizing Soorya festivals in Saudi Arabia for the past three years. We were successful in bringing to the Kingdom personalities Padma Shri O.N.V. Kurup, laureate M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Sri Kumaran Thambi. M. K. Arjunan, Kavalam Sri Kumar, M. Jayachandran and film star Vineet,” he added.