The Himachal Pradesh government on Wednesday sought Norway and Syria’s cooperation and transfer of technical know-how in tourism and others sectors.

After a meeting with Heads of Mission of Norway and Syria, Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhry said the government discussed economic strengths and opportunities in the state.

“The focus was on exchange of technical know-how and promoting the specific interests of the state in the respective countries,” he said.

He said there was a vast potential of tourism in Himachal and the state seek co-operation in development of tourism infrastructure, ropeways development, adventure tourism, civil aviation sector and setting up of model tourists village.

“Presently around two crore tourist visits Himachal every year and it is estimated that around eight to ten lakh tourists were availing eco-tourism facilities. There is eco-tourism potential of 66.56 lakh tourists with eco-tourism value of Rs 6,657 crore,” he said.

The Chief Secretary said that HP also needs co-operation for investment in development of 31 eco-circuits and development of five eco-tourism hubs with investment of Rs 1000 crore per hub.

There was also need for liasoning between tour operators, joint event management and international marketing for mutual benefits.

He said that topography of the state was suitable for health restoration and conducive for medicinal plants at all climatic zones. The scope for collaboration in Ayurveda sector was in sharing knowledge of AYUSH system, rejuvenate therapy, Panchkarma and Yoga.

He said that Himachal was highest trout producing state of the country with 12765 metric tonne production having total value of Rs 158 crore.

Himachal was already collaborating with Norway in fisheries sector and Indo-Norwegian trout farming project was functional at trout farm Patlikuhl in Kullu district. He said that more such projects could be setup in other parts of the state with Norwegian collaboration.

He said 90 per cent population of the state resides in rural areas and was engaged in agriculture and horticulture activities. Himachal has large agro-ecological and bio-diversity with advantage for offseason cultivation and quality produce due to pollution free environment and natural farming.