Maryland Seeks Trade Tie-Up With AP

A 5-member Advance Planning team from the state of Maryland of the USA called on AP's Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, and expressed its desire to promote trade in Hyderabad.

The delegation, led by Deputy Secretary of State for Policy & External Affairs (Maryland) Rajan Natarajan, also interacted with Textiles Minister P Shankar Rao.

Shankar Rao later told media persons at the Secretariat that Maryland-AP trade would indeed be promoted.

Governor of Maryland Martin O Mally is scheduled to visit India in September this year, leading a trade mission. As part of his visit, he will visit Andhra Pradesh as well.

The team discussed the areas of cooperation in the sectors of investment - trade, education, tourism and bio-technology.

It may be stated here that a good number of people from Andhra Pradesh luve in Maryland.

The Chief Minister informed the delegation that AP would welcome the Governor and explore the possibilities of working together.

The delegation included Bob Walkewr (Assistant Secretary, Department of Business & Economic Development), Dr. Pradeep Ganguly (Senior Vice President, Economic Development Corporation, Prince George's Country), Elisha Pulivarti (Maryland Business Roundtable Executive Director) and Jessae Singh (President, Maximum Assisted Living).

BJP MLA G Kishen Reddy was also present in the meeting.

In another letter addressed to the Chief Minister, John Mc Donald, the Secretary of State of Maryland, desired a Sister State Partnership between Maryland and Andhra Pradesh.

The CM responded positively to this proposal as well. (INN)