Davos visit to restore Andhra's image: Chandrababu Naidu

The CM said he asked companies like Microsoft, Infosys and Wipro to set up their campuses in Visakhapatnam or other cities in Andhra

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said his participation in the World Economic Forum summit held last week in Davos was intended to restore the brand image of the truncated state and to attract investment.

Speaking to reporters here, Naidu said he took part in 35 events besides meeting dozens of corporate honchos.  “This is my ninth visit. India was able to generate a lot of interest among the global community,” he said.

Naidu said he asked companies like Microsoft, Infosys and Wipro to set up their campuses in Visakhapatnam or other cities in AP during his the meetings with top executives, including Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Pepsi Co chairperson and chief executive officer Indra Nooyi promised to hold further discussions during her India visit in March this year regarding his suggestion that the company, which is setting up a manufacturing plant in Sri City, make products out of coconut and mango so that AP farmers could benefit.

Retail giant Wal Mart’'s chief has agreed to work with the government for sourcing agriculture produce as well as market the local artifacts and other products globally among other things, he said.

Naidu said Wipro and the AP government would form a joint venture company to work on e-governance solutions, which would not only be implemented in the state but would also be sold to other governments in India.

Equal importance to local entrepreneurs

He said though AP stands first in terms of second generation entrepreneurs in the entire country, their image got dented because of the actions of the previous governments. “They have created a shady image of our entrepreneurs. I am trying to change it.”

Naidu said he had taken local entrepreneurs to Singapore and Japan to explore collaboration opportunities for them.