Tripura finds favour with investors from UAE, Italy

Agartala: Investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Italy will set up infrastructure and industrial projects in Tripura, officials said here on Friday.

Separate delegations from the UAE and Italy, currently on a visit to the northeastern state, have met the Chief Minister to finalise some proposed ventures.

For instance, TechMate group of Ajman in the UAE is keen to invest in healthcare and urban amenities, education and information technology (IT) sectors.

"We will invest over Rs.200 crore for setting up an international medical city, knowledge city and global village in Tripura targeting the market of neighbouring Bangladesh, the northeastern states and other adjoining countries," Indian Director of the Dubai-based TechMate International Township Investment Assanaru Abdul Gafoor said.

A four-member TechMate delegation led by Gafoor met Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Industries and Commerce Minister Jitendra Chowdhury and senior officials.

The proposed projects are due to be commissioned early next year.

"The Tripura Government's positive response, and easy market access and conducive investment environment were reasons for us to decide for the investment," Gafoor added.

TechMate group has also shown interest in tourism and setting up joint venture gas-based projects, reports IANS.

A separate delegation from Italy led by the Italian Counsel General Bruno Campria also held a series of meetings with the Chief Minister, the Industry Minister and local industrialists to finalise plans for setting up industrial units.

"We are expecting Italian collaboration and investment in the bamboo, rubber, eco-tourism and agro-based sectors," state Industry Minister Chowdhury said.

"The Tripura government has always welcomed any investment, which fulfills the state's demand for employment generation, resource mobilisation and infrastructure development," Chowdhury said.

He said both the UAE and Italian delegations were impressed with the untapped resources and investment climate in Tripura.