Kerala welcomes Sharjah ruler Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammed Al Qasimi

Thiruvananthapuram: UAE Supreme Council member and Sharjah ruler Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammed Al Qasimi arrived here  on a four-day visit to the state on Sunday. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, ministers and top officials received him  at the airport by  3.30 p.m. Mr. Al Qasimi, who has come as a state guest, was also given a guard of honour by the state police before he proceeded to Hotel Leela Raviz at Kovalam where he is halting.

Mr. Al Qasimi will hold a meeting with governor P. Sathasivam at Raj Bhavan and  also have an interaction with the chief minister and ministers on Monday. Various initiatives for strengthening mutual cooperation in sectors like tourism, health, education and trade as well as welfare of NRKs are likely to come up for discussions. The state will host a cultural event for him  at Hotel Leela Raviz on Monday evening.

On Tuesday morning,  Mr. Al Qasimi will visit the chief minister's official residence, Cliff House. The Calicut University will confer honorary doctorate on Mr. Al Qasimi at a function to be held at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.      He will deliver a lecture on the topic 'Sultan and historical documents' at Taj Vivanta hotel.   Mr. Al Qasimi will make a personal visit to Kochi on Wednesday and  leave the state by evening.

Sources said that the state has high expectations from his visit which is expected to boost the state’s efforts to woo Arab tourists.  The state would also press for various welfare schemes for NRKs like  affordable housing and culture centre, which were  mooted by Mr. Vijayan during his Sharjah visit in  December last.