Czech investors interest in jt ventures in Tripura

AGARTALA: Czech investors are interested in joint ventures in the agro-based sector in Tripura, official sources said on Thursday.

Miloslav Stasek, Ambassador of Czech Republic to India met Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Agriculture Minister Aghore Debbarma and Industries and Commerce Minister Jitendra Chaudhury here last evening and expressed interest in joint ventures in fruit processing, especially in Tripura's famed pineapple and cashew nuts.

Stasek, who came to Tripura yesterday on a three-day visit, during a meeting with business entrepreneurs on Thursday said a business delegation would be sent to the state from his country to explore the possibilities of joint ventures and the Czech embassy would also send a draft project proposal demarcating the areas of their interests.

"Tripura has a lot of potential in housing joint ventures while technical expertise of the Czech Republic and support from Czech Export Bank in form of soft loans could be made. It would be a great initiative for the South and South-east Asian market," Stasek told reporters later.

He was accompanied by Commercial Counselor of the Czech Embassy, Jiri Janicek.

The Czech Ambassador, scheduled to be in the state till April 26, also travelled to other north eastern states like Mizoram, Meghalaya and Assam to explore other joint ventures.

Stasek said 15 major companies of the country, including Ashok Leyland, Tata and Infosys have major investments in Czech Republic.