Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 24 (UNI) A warm welcome was accorded to UAE Supreme Council member and Sharjah ruler Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, who arrived here today on a five-day visit to Kerala, bringing hope for further strengthening ties between India and the United Arab Emirates. The Sharjah ruler was received at the Air Force Technical Area by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his cabinet colleagues, top government officials, UAE Ambassador in India, Ahmed Al Banna, among others. Al-Qasimi was welcomed with grand ensembles of ‘Chenda Melam’ (percussion music) and ‘Thalapoli’( a traditional and ritual procession carried out by young girls and ladies of Kerala to attract happiness and prosperity). He also inspected a guard of honour by the Kerala Police. He was accompanied by a high-level official and business delegation from the UAE. After the reception and a brief interaction with Ministers and officials, the Sharjah ruler drove straight to Leela Raviz Hotel in the famed Kovalam tourist centre. The Sharjah ruler is scheduled to call on Kerala Governor P Sathasivam tomorrow morning, followed by an interaction with the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues. The state government would also host a cultural evening in his honour at Kovalam tomorrow. On the next day morning, he would call on the Chief Minister at his official residence 'Cliff House.' Later, he will attend a convocation ceremony at Raj Bhavan organised by the Calicut University to confer a D.Litt degree to the ruler. He would also deliver a lecture on 'Sultan and Historical Documents' in the evening and also likely to address a press conference. He will also visit Kochi to attend various programmes on Wednesday before his departure on Thursday morning. Aiming new high in UAE-Kerala relations, the Kerala Chief Minister had invited the Sharjah ruler to Kerala during his visit o that country in December last. The Chief Minister had also proposed various projects, supporting Non-Resident Keralites and identifying various sectors including tourism, coastal area development and Ayurveda. One of the projects was a family city for Malayali community in Sharjah providing affordable housing and availing land for building such projects including schools. Kerala also expects to complete Kochi Smart City project by 2021 with the support of Tecom Group, a Dubai Holding company. UNI CR/DS AKC SHK 1907