All your interests will be taken care of, the CM tells NRIs on the eve of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2011.
Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday made a clarion call to the Indian diaspora, a major chunk of them being Telugus, to invest in Andhra Pradesh.
"This most happening and progressive state has been recognised as the best investment destination in the country by the RBI. You have the best infrastructure and lowest power tariff. You have the most pro-active government and innovative industrial and IT policy. You have a 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," Kiran Kumar Reddy told Pravasi Indians.
"Our ultimate goal is to surpass Gujarat in industrial development and attracting investments," the CM said.
The chief minister deputed major industries minister Geetha Reddy to represent him in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2011 meet at New Delhi on Sunday.
On the eve of the Pravasi Bharatiya meet, the CM had detailed discussions with the major industries minister, 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 that in the backdrop of all of its inbuilt potential 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. Also, AP Transco won the 'Best Power Utility' in the country for 2010-11," he said.
The chief minister wished the delegates a happy New Year and a prosperous Makara Sankranti. He said that it is a matter of great pride that 25% of 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, to which they have brought laurels", he said.
The CM said that AP 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, he said. He added that the state is also the bulk drug capital of India, and a treasure house of natural gas.
He said that AP is has a balanced welfare and development agenda, and that the twin goals of the state government are employment generation and enhancement of economic activity up to the village level.
To achieve these goals, AP 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.
He said that Andhra Pradesh has been ranked 3rd in the country in respect of attracting investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and service industries. A World Bank survey, in its report 'Doing Business in India, 2009' had ranked Hyderabad as the 2nd best metro city, he said. The CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) has also adjudged Andhra Pradesh as the best performing state in the manufacturing sector among the 4 southern states, he stated.
"Let me also appraise you 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 an investor-friendly environment", the CM said.
He also lauded the heritage and culture of AP.
"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," said Kiran Kumar Reddy.
The CM told officials that the process of attracting Pravasi Indian investors should be a continuous on constantly monitored by a high-powered panel of officials.
Courtesy: INN