KRETO to promote Karnataka, plans to issue 3,000 e-tourist cards

by news
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July 28, 2016

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Region Economic Trade Organisation (KRETO) plans to issue 3,000 E-Tourist Cards during this year to encourage potential investors from Estonia who visit Karnataka as tourists. The KRETO was formally launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday.

According to Asif Iqbal, Executive Director, KRETO, every potential investor visiting as a tourist will be exposed to quality offers that give them a taste of the local culture and tradition. “This will enable them to also savor local cuisine with the help of well-informed recommendations, an opportunity to visit local homes and to stay in villages. This initiative is expected to create 250 jobs in rural areas,’’ Asif Iqbal said.

The KRETO has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Asian Arab Chamber of Commerce that has a network of office representation in 23 countries. As per the MoU, an innovation centre would be opened in United Arab Emirates (UAE). “The innovation centre is expected to be inaugurated in December. It has been designed to help midsized investors from Karnataka to have a permanent space to display their products and also benefit from marketing support to attract investors from Europe and the Middle East. Small and medium industries can display their products by paying a fee of $1000 per month. The innovation centre can accommodate around 300 mid-size companies,’’ says Princess Fay Jahan Ara, president, Asian Chamber of Commerce.

Kannada films

A MoU has been signed by Bosnian and Herzegovina foreign affairs ministry to screen Kannada films in an exclusive Kannada panorama in the upcoming Sarajevo film festival. “This is the third largest film festival in Europe after the festivals in Cannes and Rome. It will be organised in the second week of September. This initiative will ensure that Kannada films get maximum thrust by being showcased in foreign countries,’’ said Shabeena Sultana, Deputy Chairperson, KRETO.

According to Cudavalli Chandrasekhar, a Kannada actor-cum-director, Kannada film producers have been facing lot of problems to promote Kannada films outside the country. “I think the MoU signed between Bosnian and Herzegovina and Kannada Chalanachitra Academy and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce will facilitate screening good Kannada films that promote Kannada tradition and culture,’’ Chandrasekhar said.