Kerala investor friendly state: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 20 (PTI) Kerala is an investorfriendly state, but more investments are needed for futuregrowth, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here today. "Kerala is happy to welcome new investors. We are aninvestor friendly state, but need more investments for futuregrowth," he said. The Chief Minister was speaking after laying thefoundation stone for the second Lulu Shopping Mall in Keralaat nearby Akkulam, developed by Abu Dhabi-based internationalretailer Lulu Group. The Lulu Mall, consisting of a hotel and internationalconvention centre, with an investment of Rs 2,000 crore iscoming up in around over 19 acres at the National Highway atAkkulam. This will be the group’s second shopping mall aftertheone in Kochi. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, state ministersKadakampalli Surendran, E Chandrasekharan, BJP Leader and MLAO Rajagopal, IUML MLA P K Kunhalikutty were among thosepresent on the occasion. Company Chairman and MD M A Yusuff Ali said they haveplanned to complete the work by August 2018 and the hotelcomplex by March 2019. PTI JRK APR ASVNTR