The two-day global investors meet, to be held in Kochi in January, has run into trouble even before the arrangements could be completed for it to be held successfully.
Apprehending serious embarrassment to the state government at the meet, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and attended by investors from across the globe, Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony has called a meeting of Opposition leaders on December 30 to ensure that the meet goes off without interruption.
Talking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting today, Antony said the main objective of the meet was to spread the message that the situation in Kerala was conducive for investment.
"The idea is to project the state as an investor-friendly destination. The government is willing to discuss with trade unions, Opposition parties and other parties concerned the nitty-gritty of the various projects to be proposed at the meet," he said.
"The government has an open mind on the projects and while taking a decision, the interest of the state and of the people will be protected," he said.
Although Kerala has taken a number of decisions in the teeth of stiff resistance from the organised labour unions and the Marxist interest groups, the Left Front-backed pressure groups have several urban areas in their thrall.
A major victory of the Congress-led United Democratic Front government was amending the Headload Workers Act, which mandated that all loading and unloading could be done only by certified headload workers at rates they demanded.
The organised workforce has deterred potential investors, turning industrial estates barren.
Antony said the meet should succeed as it would pave the way for a new chapter in Kerala's investment climate.
But the UDF will also meet on January 9 before the meet to assuage the feelings of the Left-oriented elements within the ruling front.
This meeting will address various matters concerning the meet.
