The Kerala government signed memorandums of understanding worth nearly Rs 15,000 crore during the two-day Global Investor Meet, which concluded in Kochi on Sunday.

The biggest announcement on Sunday was the investment proposal of Rs 3,000 crore by the NeST Group for the setting up of a virtual university and a growth venture fund in Kerala.

The Mumbai-based Leela Group signed an MoU with the government for setting up an international airport in Kannur.

But officials maintained that the airport project at Kannur would be thrown open for global bidding.

The Leela Group also announced the opening of a beach resort, similar to the one that it runs in Goa, at Bekkal in northern Kerala's Kasargod district. The resort will be an hour's drive from the Kannur airport.

The Abu Dhabi-based SFC Group will invest Rs 105 crore to set up an amusement park and a rope-way in Veli, Thiruvananthapuram, a resort in Thenmala and an entertainment centre at Kochi.

The Gulfar Group, which is setting up a number of resorts in the state, will set up an oceanarium at Kovalam at a cost of Rs 30 crore.

Kerala's Tourism Minister K V Thomas told rediff.com: "We have been flooded with investment proposals from international players for various tourism projects."

He said his ministry owns more than 1800 acres of land in Vagamon, a picturesque hilly area in central Kerala. "We have drawn a master plan to ensure the scientific development of Vagamon as a top tourist destination in India," Thomas said.

An MoU with the US-based Parayil Enterprises was signed for setting up an integrated food process park for seafood and coconut oil mill.

Another important project signed was between the shipping division of the W G Tower Group of Companies and the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation to start a shipping service between Kochi and various Gulf countries.

Chief Minister A K Antony said details of the projects and the exact amount of investment proposals will be announced on Monday.

"The meet has been a great success. We are overwhelmed by the participation from major companies and investors from India and abroad. We are certain that many of the projects that we discussed with the investors will become a reality in Kerala," Antony said.

He said the Global Investor Meet has changed the perception of investors about the business climate in Kerala. "All who came to attend the meet are convinced that a new, resurgent Kerala is the best place to do sound business," the chief minister said.

The Global Investor Meet: The Complete Coverage