Kochi

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday met US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor here to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The chief secretary and other senior state government officials were present at the meeting, the Chief Minister's Office said.

The discussions focused on areas of mutual interest, particularly higher education, tourism, culture, investment and maritime development, the CMO said in a statement.

The CM highlighted the scope for closer partnerships between universities and research institutions in Kerala and the United States through joint research, academic exchanges and innovation initiatives.

The two sides also discussed opportunities to strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties, it said.

The Ambassador said this was his first visit to Kerala and that he was impressed by the state's natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and potential as an international tourism destination.

He noted the scope for attracting more visitors from the United States, particularly by leveraging Kerala's strengths in wellness and Ayurveda tourism.

The Ambassador also referred to the concept of "Sister Cities" and suggested exploring such partnerships between cities in Kerala and the United States to promote closer cultural, educational, economic and people-to-people ties.

Satheesan highlighted Kerala's growing potential as a destination for international investment, particularly in ports, logistics and port-led development.

The two sides also discussed opportunities in maritime logistics, shipbuilding and ship repair, green bunkering and allied industries linked to Vizhinjam International Seaport and Kochi Port, it said.

The Ambassador expressed interest in facilitating greater engagement between American companies and Kerala and connecting more US businesses with investment opportunities in the state.

He noted that such engagements could lead to investments and strengthen economic ties between Kerala and the United States.

The meeting also considered ways to deepen engagement with the Malayalee community and business networks in the United States.

Against this backdrop, Satheesan proposed setting up an Invest Desk in the US to facilitate investment enquiries, connect prospective investors and companies with opportunities in Kerala, and strengthen ties with the Malayalee diaspora and the wider US business community.

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Both sides expressed interest in maintaining closer engagement and taking forward opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between Kerala and the United States, the CMO statement added.