More than 500 prospective domestic and overseas investors have registered at 'Entee Naadu', a two-day meeting of the Malayalee diaspora and entrepreneurs to be held at Kochi Dec 23-24, the government said here Friday.

'Malayalees from 42 countries and 13 states in the country have registered and the maximum number of prospective investors is coming from the UAE,' T.K. Manzoor, nodal officer of the event, told reporters here.

State Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrisnan said the screening committee had scrutinised 189 tourism-related business proposals from residents of the state, and selected 60 that would be showcased at the two-day meet.

Tourism Secretary V. Venu said the proposals include home stays, service apartments and similar tourism ventures.

'The government will act as the facilitator and during the event various financial institutions, including state government agencies, will be present for prospective investors to talk to if they require project funding,' he added.

The event is being jointly organised by the state tourism and industry departments.

About two million Malayalees are now settled abroad, close to 90 percent of them working in the Middle East.

Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will inaugurate the event in the presence of Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.

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