THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Middle East-based entrepreneur and head of R P Group of Companies, B Ravi Pillai, on Monday said that he was keen on investing in Kerala’s mineral processing sector with foreign collaboration.
Addressing a meet-the-press programme at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club here, Pillai said that Kerala’s coastline was rich in rare earths and that titanium was in huge demand globally. “Titanium (processing) can be a focus area for investment. If business is done using modern technology and management, it can thrive,” he said.
Asked about the possibilities of investing in the mineral processing sector, Ravi Pillai said that it could be done in the public-private partnership mode with foreign collaboration. “Japanese and Portuguese collaboration is ideal in this sector. If the Central and state governments agree, we can go ahead,” he said.
Ravi Pillai said that his business group would make new investments in India, including in Kerala, in 2016. Apart from the hospitality industry, the IT sector would also be a focus area, he added. Ravi Pillai declined to comment when asked about the change in investment climate after the Modi government took charge. “(I) Can’t say. We have to wait and see,” he said.
The real estate tycoon said that Koreans, Chinese and Japanese businessmen were willing to invest in India along with him. He added that MoUs had been inked with them for such ventures. Asked about his ongoing projects, Ravi Pillai said that his business group was involved in a 1.5 billion dollar high-rise building construction project in Dubai. He added that it would be completed in the next two years. A five star hotel in Kozhikode would begin operations from next year, he said.
Asked about the criticism that his daughter’s week-long marriage celebration was an extravaganza, Ravi Pillai said that it was also an opportunity to showcase Kerala to global investors. “CEOs and presidents of multi-national companies and members of royal families in the Middle East will attend the wedding and will be in the state for a week,” he said. “In fact, the Kerala government should pay me for showcasing the state to global investors,” he added in a lighter vein.
When quizzed about his philanthropic activities, the Gulf-based entrepreneur said that Rs 10 crore would be spent on charity in connection with his daughter’s wedding.
Around 2,000 cancer patients would be provided with financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each. Ravi Pillai said his company had provided jobs to 85,000 people and 10,000 people were being recruited for various refinery projects in Kuwait.