The UAE has opened a consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of India's Kerala state, and appointed Jamal Al Zaabi as the consul-general there.

The opening of the second UAE consulate in India comes within the context of bolstering the growing relations between the two countries, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation was quoted as saying by a Wam news agency report.

"I am delighted to announce the opening of the new UAE consulate in the Indian state of Kerala. It represents an important achievement and a new boost for bilateral relations between the two friendly countries," said Under-Secretary at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Mohammed Mer Al Raisi, in a ceremony in the presence of Kerala Governor P Sathasivam, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Assistant Under-Secretary for Consular Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed Elham Al Dhaheri, Ambassador of the UAE to India Dr. Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Banna, a delegation from the Ministry of Interior and a group of notable political figures and businessmen from the UAE and India.

The opening of the consulate in Kerala is aimed at furthering co-operation and partnership between the two countries in the business sector and trade and economic cooperation as well as at the level of social and cultural exchange, he added.

In collaboration with the interior ministry, the consulate will provide visa services for UAE citizens visiting Kerala and southern India, as well as residents of Kerala in particular, Al Dhaheri said, and noted this would further facilitate and speed up the entry of Indian workers to the UAE via e-gates at the country's points of entry.

Kerala, he said, is a global business and trade hub and an integral part of the fast-expanding partnership between the UAE and India. This achievement would enable the two countries to continue to build strong relations in Kerala, an important economic partner of the UAE, he added.

"We have a lot in common, from trade and investment to workforce. A large number of workers, who come to the UAE every year to realise their job ambitions and improve their living standards in our country, hail from Kerala, UAE Consul-General to Kerala Jamal Al Zaabi said.

The new consulate will play an effective role in bolstering ties with India through enhanced trade relations and increased cultural exchange and cooperation between the UAE and Kerala, he added.