Thiruvananthapuram: Representatives of the Kerala Government will fly to UAE, today, to take part in the investors meet organized by the Abu Dhabi government. Earlier the central government had denied permission to the CM and the minister to attend the meeting. But gave permission for high government officials to travel for the meeting.
Following this, the Chief Secretary also withdrew from the travel. The reasons for his withdrawal is not clear. In place of the CM and ministers a group of government officials comprising the secretaries of NORKA, IT, and Tourism departments will attend the investors meet. The meet will continue till the coming Wednesday.
Earlier, it was decided a nine-member group, including Ministers P Rajeev, PA Mohammad Riyas, and Chief Secretary VP Joy, will travel to the UAE on May 7. However, the External Affairs Ministry (EAM) denied permission for the travel saying that these kinds of investors meet do not necessitate the attendance of the CM and ministers. Instead, the EAM said that the Kerala government can send a group of government officials to attend the meeting.
The investors meet will be held from May 8 to 10 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. The UAE Foreign Trade Minister had invited the CM directly.
The EAM’s decision denying permission comes at a time when there is widespread criticism about the CM’s and other Ministers’ foreign travels when the state is under financial strain.
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