Big city dreams

KOCHI: The investor-friendly Kochi is awaiting a big leap in basic infrastructure at the Emerging Kerala 2012 - the global investment meet scheduled to be held here on September. The meet, expected to create waves of change in the commercial and economic sectors of the state, will mainly showcase the investment opportunities available in Kerala.Mayor Tony Chammany told ‘City Express’ that as a developing metro, Kochi expects global and potential investors in basic infrastructure development and transportation sectors.“IT and tourism sectors have the potential to attract investors. But the key issue is infrastructure development. We expect that the investors at the Emerging Kerala meet will realise the potential in investing on various infrastructure projects mooted for Kochi,” Chammany said. For instance, there are proposals for various flyover projects, that can be completed on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, he said. Prior to ‘Emerging Kerala’, the Corporation will organise a summit in which various stakeholders of city’s development will take part. “We will finalise the date according to the convenience of the Chief Minister, who will inaugurate the summit. It will be a curtain-raiser to the ‘Emerging Kerala’, in which commercial bodies and town planners will share their vision and plans,” he said.Water Transport Transportation, especially water transport is another sector that awaits the attention of investors. “The Corporation has already prepared the Articles of Association for setting up a company for managing the water transport system. We believe that it can be developed into a profitable venture, considering the potentials of our water network. The Corporation will have a 26 per cent stake in the company and the rest can be raised from investors and the public. We hope that we will be able to identify the investors during the  event,” he said.Sewerage Treatment For Sewerage Treatment projects also, Kochi is expecting the support from investors. “We are expecting investors who will show interest in setting up a sewerage treatment plant that can match with international standards. The facility can be set up on a BOT basis,” the Mayor said.