AP determined to attract highest investments: CM

Hyderabad, May 7 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh government is determined to capture number one position in the country in attracting industrial investments and creating lakhs of jobs for unemployed youth, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said today.

Interacting with officials on the eve of his visit to Nellore district to lay the foundation stone for the Caparo Industrial Park at Menakur village of Naidupeta Mandal, he said a Reserve Bank of India report, released in August 2007, said Andhra Pradesh stood second among states in the country with total investment of Rs 25,173 crore in 2006-07.

Andhra Pradesh stood next to Gujarat, he added.

Quoting a survey report, conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industry, released in March 2007, he said ''Andhra Pradesh is the best performing state in the manufacturing sector among the southern states.'' The Chief Minister said industrial investments, amounting to Rs 12,350 crore during the last three and a half years had provided jobs to 1,72,616 people.

An additional 210 projects amounting to investments of Rs 38,671 crore were being implemented. Out of the 71 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) proposed by the state, the Centre had already cleared 49 SEZs, the highest for any state, he quipped.

He also said if Reliance company starts supply of gas from September 2008, the state would have sufficient power required for domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes.

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