Andhra Pradesh: CM Chandrababu Naidu pursues Chinese electronics manufacturers
Hyderabad: Aiming to bring electronics manufacturing to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu began his second day in Beijing by meeting executives from Chinese low-cost smart phone maker Xiaomi and electronics manufacturer Foxconn on Monday.
During the meeting, Naidu informed the company executives about the advantages of Andhra Pradesh, the availability of abundant water and power, the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement.
"We have a 21-day clearance mechanism for industries. We have a deemed clause and are working with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore on the ease of doing business," he said.
Lauding Chinese manufacturers for their speed and scale of business, the Chief Minister said he wants to deliver all services through mobile.
"We are looking at mobile applications in our digital literacy campaign," he added. Stating that Andhra Pradesh will be an innovator and has been using technology for governance, Naidu said the state could emerge as an electronics hub.
Xiaomi India head Manu Jain during a presentation, said it works with Foxconn in China, Brazil and India.
Xiaomi represented by the company's President Bin Lin and Vice-President Hugo Barra informed that the company's smartphone sales alone totalled USD 335 million.
Hugo informed the Chief Minister that he is looking forward to building a "great working relationship" with India and AP after an assurance from the Chief Minister about land and power issues.
Meanwhile, Josh Foulger, Vice-President of Foxconn was quoted as saying, "We're looking at USD 3.5 billion investment in India in the next two-three years. This would span across smartphones, software, TVs and other electronics."
After stating that Andhra Pradesh is looking forward to have Foxconn and Xiaomi in the state, the Chief Minister informed company executives that AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) would pitch in to train people on the skills required.
In a meeting with executives from Sinomach which has 50 research and manufacturing companies, Liu Jingzhen, the company's vice-president evinced interest to invest in India and the company officials informed the Chief Minister that they will meet him with a detailed proposal in June or July.
The company has come up with a proposal to set up an industrial park.
The Chief Minister extended an invitation to Sinomach's president to visit AP soon so that an MoU can be signed with the company when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits China next month.
Naidu said the company could explore PPP model. In his interaction at state-owned SUMEC Group, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh is looking for a huge boost in renewable energy.
"Apart from the single-desk clearance system for industries, we are also planning to make it a tourist destination," he added.
Stating that AP wants to replicate Shanghai's Yangshan deep-water port, the Chief Minister said AP has deep-water port and plans to develop 10 other ports. "Through this, we hope to become a global logistics hub," he added.
SUMEC Group's executives said they will visit Andhra Pradesh in May before Modi's visit to China and sign agreements, the statement added.
