Srinagar, Dec 14, 2004

Jammu and Kashmir has become the first partner state for the 31st International Conference of Non-Resident Indians, to be held in New Delhi next month.

The conference, titled 'India and NRI/PIOs - Current Trends in Education and Employment,' will attract around 300 NRI delegates from all over the world, an official spokesman said here.

The state government would be provided a stall at the conference venue where it would distribute promotional material to the delegates attending the two-day conference beginning January 10 and organised by the NRI Institute of India, he said.

State Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who will address the valedictory session as the guest of honour on January 11 at the India International Centre, would focus on attracting NRI investment in the state, he said.

The dignitaries to address the conference, which would deliberate upon attracting investments from NRIs, will include former Prime Minister I K Gujral, Union Minister of State for Overseas Indians, Jagdish Tytler, Union Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed and British High Commissioner to India Michael Arthur. PTI