Two-day international colloquium on Spice Routes concludes

KOCHI:The two-day international colloquium on Spices Route, participated by representatives from various countries having ancient trade link with Kerala, concluded on Saturday. The event, organised by the Netherlands Embassy in association with the state government, Tourism Department and Muziris Heritage project, was held at Kochi and Alappuzha.

Muziris Project Ltd MD Nowshad P M said the event was a major breakthrough for heritage projects including Muziris and Alappuzha. “The event was organised to trace the ancient links of spice route that connected Kerala with 31 countries in Asia, Africa and Europe. The first day’s discussions was held at Bolgatty Palace in Kochi and the second day’s event was held at Punnamada Resort, Alappuzha,” he said. “Discussions were held with scholars who have in-depth knowledge about the ancient spice route and heritage sites of Kerala. The event was very fruitful as the concept of Spice Route could be expanded to international level with the cooperation of other countries,” Nowshad said.

The event is likely to lead for new agreements on research activities and promotion of Spices Route by foreign nations with Kerala. Discussion in this regard would be held in future.Alphonsus Stoelinga, Ambassador of Netherlands to India, Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran, representatives from Sri Lanka, France, Belgium and Egypt were present.