China and Kerala sign $10 million export deal

Tuesday, 24 February 2004, 20:30 IST
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: China and the southern Indian state of Kerala have inked a major $10 million deal for the export of titanium dioxide from here. The state-run Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd. (KMML) Monday signed up with Shanghai Yingtai International Trading Ltd. at a function in Beijing. The deal is for the supply of 6,200 tonnes of titanium dioxide with immediate effect till Sep 30, 2004. The total cost of the export order is worth $10 million. According to the agreement, the contract is renewable after Sep 30 following a review. The Kollam-based KMML is one of the highest profit making public sector enterprises in Kerala. It is engaged in the separation of minerals from beach sand and the manufacture of titanium dioxide. In 2002-03, KMML saw its gross income reach an all time high of 3.24 billion. China and Kerala have been collaborating on other business interests as well. China recently signed a contract for the purchase of two 3-D movies in Malayalam made by veteran producer Navodaya Appachen. Appachen was in China recently to sign the agreement with the Chinese Film Development Corp. The Chinese dubbing of the two films, "My Dear Kuttichathan" and "Magic Magic", is now almost complete. Moreover, a weeklong Chinese cultural festival is to be held here from Mar 4. Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony will inaugurate the festival that will include Chinese films and a photography and book exhibition. The festival is being organised by the India-China Friendship Society in association with the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. "Events like this will definitely help build better India-China relations," said the society's president, K.P. Kosala Ramadas.
Source: IANS