New Delhi, July 27 - India is now keen to woo international business houses to hold their key officials events in different parts of the country. The government is offering grants to states to set up convention centres to promote what is called Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.

Tourism Minister Kumari Selja, who is focussing on promoting niche tourism products, has announced that the ministry would give central financial assistance for construction of one convention centre in each state and union territory.

The grant would be given under the product or infrastructure development of destinations and circuits for promotion of MICE, according to a tourism official.

'The assistance will be provided up to Rs.50 million (Rs.5 crore) for each project on the basis of proposals received from the states,' the official added.

India is trying to pitch for MICE tourism, inspired by the success of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as favoured destinations for international conferences and conventions.

MICE tourism as a concept has gained popularity over the past few years with the corporate world as companies use off-site workdays to motivate staff by taking them for conferences, incentive trips and focussed business meetings, usually organised in exotic locations.