Indian investors eye Jaffna

by Shirajiv Sirimane

Indian entrepreneurs based in Tamil Nadu are keen to set up apparel factories and IT companies and get involved in the hospitality trade in Jaffna.

Consul-General of India in Jaffna, A. Natarajan said that a 44-member team from the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce had visited Jaffna last month.

"Some of the members of this delegation are keen to set up an apparel factory, poultry and an IT company. They have visited the Atchchuvely Investment Promotion Zone and are keen to start operations there," he said.

A Tamil Nadu entrepreneur will launch a high-end Indian restaurant in Jaffna town, he added.

He said the team also met officials of the Board of Investment, Chambers and also Bankers in Jaffna. "They have also sealed some partnerships with local counterparts."He also said that they will visit Jaffna again to participate in the Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF 2016) which will be held from January 29 to 31, 2016 at the Municipal Ground in Jaffna.

The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce (TNCC) will also send a record 60-member team for this exhibition.

"For the first time the TNCC will hold its Annual General Meeting in Jaffna," Natarajan said.

"JITF 2016 will facilitate trade in the north for all industries which will help to develop the northern region, which was neglected for over three decades. It is the centre for commerce in the North with easy access to Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mulativu and the entire Jaffna peninsula, a spokesman for the organisers said.

The mega trade fair will bring together a large number of local and foreign companies to display their products and services."This will be an ideal platform to explore the potential market with unlimited scope for development, establish new partnerships, analyzing the market and an opportunity to interact with the private and public sectors since JITF is a comprehensive and focused exhibition," the spokesman said.