Thiruvananthapuram:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is opening a consulate in Kerala, a move sure to help the thousands from the state working in the Gulf country.
An informed source said a meeting on this issue was held in New Delhi Tuesday.
"The UAE consulate is opening in Kerala. Its location will be decided by the UAE ambassador to India," said the source.
Kerala Minister for Non-Resident Keralites KC Joseph told IANS this was "happy news".
"This is going to be a great source of help to Keralites. UAE is the place where the maximum number of the Kerala diaspora is settled," he said.
The UAE is home to more than a million Keralites.
Currently all those proceeding to the UAE from Kerala have to get their educational certificates certified by the UAE embassy or consulate in New Delhi or Mumbai.