The country's software and outsourcing capital can soon boast of a world-class international convention centre near Bengaluru International Airport.

The cabinet on Thursday approved an investment of Rs 250 crore for the centre. "It is likely to be the largest international convention centre in South India. To be built in 35 acres of land, it’ll be ready in 18 months," law minister S Suresh Kumar said.

The centre will house a convention hall with seating capacity of 6,000 and 20 conference halls which can accommodate 50 to 200 people, besides a 20,000 square metre exhibition centre.

"The premises will be used largely to promote the city as an attractive destination to host huge conferences and exhibitions," Kumar said. The project was initiated taking a cue from the Hyderabad centre, which hosts a lot of conferences and exhibitions. Gujarat, too, boasts of such a centre.

Source: 27. May. 2011