DAMMAM, 16 September 2006 — Dr. Abdullah Ali Al-Saihati, chairman of Saihati Group in Alkhobar, emphasized the need for promoting Indo-Saudi cultural and business relations.
“Saudis and expatriates must foster a spirit of mutual support and care for the well-being of one another,” he said.
Speaking to Arab News, Dr. Al-Saihati said events like the India Tourism Mart 2006 and Kerala Fest 2006 would play a big role in strengthening cultural relations and mutual understanding between people of the two countries.
Dr. Al-Saihati, who visited Kerala last year as the chief guest of the Soorya Festival — a major annual cultural event in the southern Indian state — was impressed by the state’s beauty.
“Kerala is a very beautiful place endowed with lots of natural resources. Its people are hard working, intelligent and cooperative. I was overwhelmed by their hospitality,” he said.
Dr. Al-Saihati visited the Travancore Palace, Technopark, Kerala Institute of Medical Science (KIMS) and Kovalam Beach.
“I had a memorable boating experience in the backwaters of Kerala. I was also impressed by the Art & Cultural Festival organized by Soorya in Trivandrum,” he said. The annual Soorya Festival is one of the biggest art and cultural events in Asia, he added.
Dr. Al-Saihati said that visiting Kerala would enrich Saudis and other foreign tourists.
“The picturesque landscape, serene backwaters and lakes, swirling rivers and rich cultural heritage justify Kerala’s prime place on the world tourist map,” he said.
Spelling out the state’s tourist attractions, the Saudi businessman said: “Kerala has long shorelines and lush hill stations, exotic wildlife, waterfalls, and above all well acclaimed Ayurvedic health remedies. These destinations are only a two-hour drive from each other.”
Dr. Al-Saihati said Kerala is a safe place for investment in tourism, information technology and related industries and real estate considering the influx of international tourists, the presence of highly skilled personnel and large middle and upper class population.
He has already set up two companies in Kochi to carry out investment projects in Kerala. “The first company deals in tourism-related projects. For that purpose I have registered a company by the name Saihati Tourist Resorts and studies are under way for the formal launching of the project,” he said, adding that he would invest around SR50 million ($13.3 million) in tourism projects.
The second company is to carry out projects in the real estate and infrastructure development sector. “Our plan is to construct a landmark commercial complex in Kochi, the business capital of Kerala,” he added.
He said discussions were in progress with authorities to get approval for the projects: “A positive outcome is expected by the end of this year.”
Dr. Al-Saihati is associated with Orion Sargam and has offered to attend the company’s India Tourism Mart 2006 to be held in Alkhobar on Nov. 2-3.
When asked whether he would encourage other Saudi businessmen to put their money in Kerala, Dr. Al-Saihati said: “Yes.”
“There is a high growth potential in tourism, IT and real estate sectors,” he said. “The new liberalization policies of the Indian government are also encouraging.”
Dr. Al-Saihati spoke highly about the existing communal harmony in the state. “In Kerala, you can see mosques, churches and temples side by side and people living in peace,” he said. “Kerala has got a rich culture and many of its art forms are acclaimed internationally for their aesthetic appeal.”
Dr. Al-Saihati said he was pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of the Travancore Royal Family. “They were very down to earth, very simple and humble,” he said, expressing his heartiest wishes to the royal family members. “Though not in power anymore, people accord them a lot of respect and love.”
Dr. Al-Saihati congratulated the Keralites on the occasion of the golden jubilee of their state: “I take this opportunity to convey my best regards from the bottom of my heart to all the Keralites.”
