Mangalore: Government would consider establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and an international airport at Mangalore with a view to boosting the economy of the region, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said on May 15.

"I will discuss with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the Planning Commission and expedite the issue," Advani said after receiving the first shipment of Indian crude from Sudan at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL).

He was responding to the request made earlier by Union Urban Development Minister Ananth Kumar in this regard.

Advani said security in energy, oil and health sectors was crucial for the country's progress.

"Together with these, there should be road, river and electronic connectivity as, without them, the dream of President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to make India a developed country cannot be achieved," he said.

While the 20th century belonged to UK, US, Russia and Japan, the 21st century should be an Indian century, the Deputy Premier asserted.

He said though there were some reservations about an oil tie-up with Sudan, the Union Cabinet had approved the proposal resulting in India getting the oil.

"This is Indian oil abroad which has been brought here and we can sell it also," Advani said.

Striking a nostalgic note, Advani said while he stayed mostly in Delhi as Deputy Prime Minister and went to Gujarat as his constituency was there, Bangalore too was important as he spent 19 months here during Emergency.

PTI