Talks on with ICICI Pru, SBI for NRI bond

Kochi: Kerala Information and Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs Minister M M Hassan says discussions are under way with ICICI Prudential Fund and State Bank of India about floating an investment bond by the newly-formed Roots Initiative for non-resident Indians.

Overseas Keralites had expressed an interest in subscribing to the fund provided the rates of interest are higher than the bank rates, Hassan, who is just back from Germany, says.

He says a special examination will be held for enabling the Gulf Malayalees without high school education to pass the Secondary School Leaving Certificate examination. “We are through with the textbooks for this purpose.“

Hassan says there are also plans to offer Malayalam lessons through the websites of departments of Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs and Education, targeting children of overseas Keralites.