AP CM meets New Zealand Governor

Hyderabad, Sep 14: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy called on the Governor-General of New Zealand Anand Satyanand at hotel Grand Kakatiya here.

The Governor General in his brief meeting yesterday said he was happy to visit his native state after a long time and was quite impressed with its strides of development.

He said New Zealand and India, both as members of the Commonwealth of Nations, have a cordial relationship with each other since several decades.

New Zealand is known for diamonds, machinery, timber industries apart from great potential for tourism. Besides, it is also known for agriculture and food storage sectors.

The Chief Minister apprised the visiting dignitary that Andhra Pradesh is marching ahead in the field of Information Technology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Construction and agricultural reserach. He also explained about health and welfare programmes taken up by the state government and particularly how the free health insurance scheme, 'Rajiv Arogya Sree' being implemented free of cost to the poor and the free ambulance service under PPP model in the state.

He also emphasised about the boost given to higher education, and the strides made especially in Information Technology.

Mr Reddy said the state has full potential for investments in infrastructure, IT, BT and manufacturing sectors, adding that the city of Hyderabad is developing fast and attracting many global MNCs.

Telugu is a most widely spoken language in places like California, and every third person you meet there is an Indian and among them every forth person is a Telugu person, he added.

High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, Mr K P Ernest, Principal Secretary to CM, Mr Jannat Hussain and Advisor, Industries, Mr Peter Hasan and others were present, according to a release.

UNI