US envoy discusses investment avenues in Andhra Pradesh with Chandrababu Naidu

Hyderabad: US Ambassador to India Richard Verma met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday and enquired about investment opportunities for American companies in Andhra Pradesh, which is aggressively pushing for new ventures and has fast tracked industrial clearances.

During the meeting at the Secretariat, Verma discussed potential areas of collaboration between the governments of US and the state, an official statement said.

Verma also enquired about investment opportunities for US companies in sectors of defence, education, science and technology, IT, tourism, infrastructure and ports in Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister highlighted the potential for collaboration in tourism and logistics sectors in the southern state.

Verma, who took charge of his post last month, also sought to know about the ease of doing business in Andhra Pradesh.

Responding to this, Naidu said the AP government now provides clearances within 21 days and has a single-desk policy in place for industries.

"We have a deemed clause which states that if permission (for a venture) is not given within 21 days, it will be deemed as given," the Chief Minister informed.

On partnership with the US on developing Visakhapatnam as a smart city, Naidu said things have to be worked out fast in this regard.

Naidu had a separate meeting with South Africa's Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Mzwandile Masina. During his talks with Masina, the Chief Minister invited South African companies to invest in Andhra Pradesh.

Masina informed Naidu that the African country has expertise in automobile and infrastructure, including construction of new cities and airports, and also mining, the statement added.