Kerala eyes 7.5% growth in foreign tourists in FY17
The Dollar Business Bureau Considering the surge in inbound tourism, Kerala is looking at a growth of 7.5% in tourist arrivals from international markets in the current financial year, with major focus on culture, adventure and Ayurveda. “In January-September 2016 period, the state received 7,38,515 foreign tourists and 9,24,125 domestic tourists, a growth of 5.61% and 6.01%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2015,” Kerala Tourism Department Tourist Information Officer Shine KS told PTI. The overall growth was 5.98% till September 2016, with 1.19 lakh tourists visiting the state termed as 'Gods Own Country', he added. Looking at the current trend, the state, overall in the FY 2016-17, is expecting 7.5% growth in the influx of international tourists, with an increase in 6.5% ...
Kerala imposes 14.5% tax on junk food
The Dollar Business Bureau The Kerala government on Friday imposed a 14.5% 'fat tax' on burgers, pastas, pizzas, and other junk food products served in branded restaurants. Food items, such as burgers, doughnuts, pasta, pizzas, sandwiches and tacos, sold in branded restaurants would fall under this tax category. Kerala’s fast-food chains including Domino’s, KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Subway are expected to be hit the hardest. With the implementation of new tax arrangements, the state government looks to meet its earlier set target of 25% and fetch Rs.61,895.62 crore revenue during the ongoing financial year. Kerala’s tax revenue growth was about 17% to Rs.53,003.42 crore during the previous financial year. The announcement was made by Thomas Isaac, State Finance Minister of Kerala’s newly-elected ...
Vizhinjam Port: Kerala government, Adanis to ink pact on August 17, 2015
Source: PTI Taking a major step forward on the state's ambitious Rs 7,500 crore Vizhinjam deep sea port project, Kerala government and Adani Ports decided to sign the construction agreement on August 17. The decision was taken at a meeting by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy with Adani Ports Officials, including the company's Executive Director Karan Adani. It was also decided to start the construction work on November 1, the state's formation day, Ports Minister K Babu told reporters after the meeting. Karan Adani said that even though the construction period is four years as per the agreement, the company plans to complete the work in two years. Babu said that the CM would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ...
