Andhra CM seeks Singapore's help to build state capital

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu Friday invited investors from Singapore to invest in the state and participate in building the state capital.

On the third and final day of his visit to Singapore, he met heads of top business corporations and gave a PowerPoint presentation on investment opportunities in the state.

"We want to build a great capital. Our cities should become models of liveable cities," Naidu said.

According to a statement from the chief minister's office, he assured investors that there wouldn't be any electricity problem.

"My target is to provide 20-30 Mbps high-speed broadband connection to every household in the next two years and upgrade speed further."

He said the state had plans to create smaller airports to connect them to major airports.

Naidu also told industrialists that his government was working on a "deemed approval model of clearances".

If a request was not responded to within 30 days, that means the approval was deemed to have been given.

He told investors that the government will appoint escort officers for major investment projects. It will be the officer's responsibility to get clearances.

Stating that he would create a massive land bank for industries, the chief minister said this will pave way for creating industrial townships.

One of the industrialists has evinced interest to invest in coffee, dairy and cashew plantation.

Naidu later visited the Jurong Island that has over 100 companies. He then attended a meeting with the Singapore Tourism Board.

Naidu also delivered key-note address at the 9th international conference on "The State of South Asia" at the Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore.

He said that after 25 years, India now had a stable government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.