YSR thanks Bush for opening us consulate

Hyderabad, Mar 3 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minsiter Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today thanked US President George Bush for selecting Hyderabad for establishing the American Consulate Office.

Speaking to newspersons here, Dr Reddy said the efforts of his government and the American Ambassador to India had culminated in the decision to establish the Consulate here.

Dr Reddy said his proactive government was able to attract investments from US companies besides boosting bilateral trade between Andhra Pradesh and America.

He said with the setting up of the Consulate ''it will be more convenient to the people, particularly of Andhra Pradesh, to obtain visas in a short time. It will help people save time and money on travelling to Chennai for getting visas.'' Dr Reddy said the American Consulate at Hyderabad would start functioning from Dilkusha Guest House, near Raj Bhavan, from October 2007.

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