Speaking at a seminar on `Doing business with Italy', jointly organised by the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mumbai and the Cochin Chamber of Industry, here on Friday, he said the tourism is a key-sector where Italy could invest, as both the countries have a history-rich past which will be a plus point in promoting tourism destinations.

Making a dig at the union Budget for the meager allotment of funds, Mr Nair said the provisions towards toursim sector should be increased and a serious thought should be applied, as far as tourism sector is concerned, by the Union government. Stressing the need to get foreign investments in the state's tourism sector, he said the problem with the foreign investors is that they don't know where to invest and what to invest. " Whatever be the sector, we have to provide necessary infrastructure for their ventures"' he said. Speaking at the seminar, the Italian Ambassador, Dr B Amari said the tourism will be taken as a good paradigm of Indo-Italian relationship. He said both the countries have been closely related in many areas including bilateral trades. A joint working group has been set up solely dedicated to tourism to work out joint ventures and other related issues, he added.

Managing director of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Jiji Thomson, making a presentation at the seminar on the state's potential area for foreign investment, said that toursim and bio-technology were the two key-sectors where Italians could make their investment. He said that the state government was scouting for partners to promote air taxi services in the state. Delivering the introductory address, president of the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry NK Nayar has charted out four key areas of prospective cooperation with Italy, namely, tourism, food processing, infrastructure and information technology.