Kerala, Czech Republic to join hands in tourism, ayurveda

Czech Republic expressed interest to collaborate with Kerala after a meeting between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Czech Ambassador Milan Hovorka To boost the cooperation, the second visa office of the Czech Republic in the state would be opened in Thiruvananthapuram "Kerala is interested in collaborating with the Czech Republic in the area of environment-friendly industries also," Pinarayi said

Kerala will soon join hands with the Czech Republic in the areas of tourism and ayurveda.

The Central European country expressed interest to collaborate with the state after a meeting between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Czech Ambassador to India Milan Hovorka in Thiruvananthapuram, the CM's office said on Thursday.

Besides Hovorka, parliamentary deputy speaker Radek Vondracek and parliamentary healthcare committee Chairman Rostislav were among the 10-member delegation from the Czech who called on the Chief Minister at his chamber.

To boost the cooperation, the second visa office of the Czech Republic in the state would be opened in Thiruvananthapuram. A visa office of the country is already functioning in the state in Kochi and with the opening of the new centre in the capital, Kerala would be the first Indian state to have two such facilities.

Pinarayi said both Kerala and Czech Republic are known for its scenic beauty and could explore the possibilities of cooperation in several areas.

"Like information technology, Kerala is interested in collaborating with the Czech Republic in the area of environment-friendly industries also. Let's have cooperation in terms of renewable energy like solar power," the Kerala CM said.

The Chief Minister also thanked the Czech authorities for their decision to open the visa office in the state capital.

(with PTI inputs)