COCHIN, 10 January 2005 — Qatar is likely to become the first Gulf state to open its consulate in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Qatar’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy and Industry Abdullah ibn Hamad Al-Attiyah assured Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy that he would do everything possible to open a consulate that would help the migrants and promote growing business ties.
Chandy made the request during the unveiling of Petronet LNG’s 23-billion-rupee gas plant here last week.
Al-Attiyah told Malayala Manorama newspaper he would discuss the proposal with Qatar rulers soon. He said he saw the proposal as a great relief for some 100,000 Kerala workers in the emirate.
He felt Qatar Airways should operate more flights to Kerala to help low-income expatriates and to increase commerce.
Al-Attiyah, who surveyed the LNG project site, said Kerala offered immense investment potential in tourism and petrochemical industries. The projects submitted by the state were being considered. He proposed meetings between Kerala and Doha Chambers of Commerce and Industry on joint ventures in both countries.
The emirate has signed contracts worth 11.5 billion rupees to buy 57 ships with cryogenic tanks to ferry gas to the United States and Europe. Unveiling a model of the Kerala project, he said Qatar would be supplying gas to 77 countries.
Petronet has signed a contract with RasGas to import 7.5 million metric tons of LNG annually — five million for Dahej and 2.5 million for Cochin. Kerala’s LNG need is expected to touch seven million metric tons by 2010. The company hopes to sell piped gas to households and for use in vehicles.
