AP has abundant investment opportunities, best industry policy:CM

Hyderabad|India|January'2011: The Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy made a clarion call to the Indian Diaspora, a major chunk of them being Telugus, to come and invest in Andhra Pradesh. "This most happening and progressive State is recognised as the best investment destination in the country by the RBI. You have glorious and unlimited opportunities. You have the best infrastructure and lowest power tariff. You have the most pro-active government and innovative industrial and IT policy. You have the single window clearance system and transparent and ever friendly bureaucracy. You have the best international airport at Hyderabad and a number of Institutes of excellence. All your interests will be taken care of", Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy told the Pravasi Indians. "Our ultimate goal is to surpass Gujarat in industrial development and attracting investments".

The Chief Minister deputed Major Industries Minister Geeta Reddy to represent him in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2011 meet at New Delhi. On the eve of Pravasi Bharati meet, the Chief Minister discussed in detail with Major Industries Minister Geeta Reddy, Chief Secretary S V Prasad and Principal Secretary, Investment and Infrastructure Ajay Mishra about the issues to be discussed with the Pravasis.

The Chief Minister said in the backdrop of all of its inbuilt potentials for employment generation, natural resources, abundant pool of trained manpower, good governance and investment friendly policies. Andhra Pradesh is the ideal global investment destination. "We have power generating capabilities of about 13,500 MW, being the second largest in the country and also AP TRANSCO won "Best Power utility in the country for 2010-11".

The Chief Minister wished the delegates a happy new year and prosperous Makara Sankranti. He said it is a matter of great pride that 25 per cent of the Indian IT professionals working overseas are from Andhra Pradesh. "My state has also contributed prominent doctors and scientists to the US and other European countries where they have brought laurels", he said.

The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh is in the forefront in IT, Biotechnology, Pharma, Airlines, Institutes of Excellence and manufacturing industries. The Tata Institute for Fundamental Research has opened a campus in Hyderabad to promote all round scientific and technological advances. It is also regarded as the mineral house of the country and has a large base for Agro and Food processing. A.P. is also the Bulk Drug Capital of India, treasure house of natural gas and has World Class Infrastructure.

The Chief Minister said that A.P. is has a balanced welfare and development agenda launched by the visionary and dynamic former Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy. The twin goals of the state government are employment generation and enhancement of economic activity up to the village level. To achieve these goals, A.P. is the first state in the country to formulate an Infrastructure enabling Act to promote the PPP mode of developing public assets. We have launched huge infrastructure projects like Ports, Airports, Highways, Express Ways, Metro Rail, Irrigation projects and become a role model state for the entire country in this regard.

He said that Andhra Pradesh has been ranked as 3rd state in the country in respect of attracting investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and service industries. A latest World Bank survey in its report ‘Doing Business in India, 2009’ had ranked Hyderabad as the 2nd best metro city. The CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) has also adjudged Andhra Pradesh as the best performing state in the manufacturing sector among the four southern States.

"Let me also appraise of the unique legislation brought by our state for providing single window clearances for all industrial proposals – a one stop shop for all approvals within a time frame. Andhra Pradesh is a model state for providing investor-friendly environment", the CM said. We have 1000 years of hoary heritage and over 500 years old historic monuments is home for religious harmony with people of different faiths living together and practicing their religions in a peaceful environment.

"The Temple of Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala is visited by millions of devotees from across the world every year. I request all of you to visit Tirumala and beget the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. With more than 600 tourist locations spread along its 970 kms long sea coast, the state has attracted nearly 3.2 million visitors AP has become a pioneer in Pilgrim tourism, Eco-tourism, adventure-tourism and medical tourism".

The Chief Minister told the officials that the process of attracting the Pravasi Indian investors should be a continuous process and constantly monitored by high power panel of officials.