Naidu wants to know Japanese interests

Hyderabad, Dec 19 (INN): The Ambassador of Japan to India, Takeshi Yagi, called on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu here on Friday.

Naidu congratulated the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for being re-elected. During his visit to Japan, the Chief Minister had presented the Tirupati prasadam and a Seshavastramfrom the abode of Lord Venkateswara to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Japan. Yagi's visit underlines Japan's interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh, he said.

During the meeting with the Chief Minister, Yagi evinced interest in joining AP in concept master-planning of capital city. To this, the Chief Minister replied in the affirmative and told the Japanese Ambassador to identify the sectors in Andhra Pradesh they want to invest in.

The Chief Minister added that Japan could partner with Andhra Pradesh in agriculture mechanization, agro processing, aquaculture, petro-chemicals, automobile and power sectors.

Yagi said that Japan has identified AP Investment Task Force (as suggested by the CM on his visit to Japan recently) which will look for prospective investors, coordinate their visits and work closely with the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister nominated K. Ramamohan Rao, AP Special Representative in Delhi, S.P. Tucker, Special Chief Secretary (Planning) and Ajay Jain, Principal Secretary (Energy) who will represent AP as part of a committee that will also consist three Japanese officials.

This committee will meet every month pursue investments and ensure that the process of clearances and approvals from AP government is made hassle-free (on both sides) through single-desk system.

This team, the Chief Minister said, will also understand bottlenecks and streamline processes. The team will work to benefit both AP government and Japan, the Chief Minister said.

He assured the Ambassador that the state government would have a Japanese-speaking official to make it easier for Japanese investors. 'Every six months, I will review the status of the projects by visiting Japan,' the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, Japanese officials also proposed to the Chief Minister to organize a seminar (in partnership with METI and NEDO) in India where Japanese investors could explore investments opportunities in AP. The theme of the seminar will be smart technologies, Japanese officials informed.

The Chief Minister invited the Japanese to hold the seminar in March and also field visit Sri City SEZ, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. Following this, the Ambassador expressed that Japan is convinced that Andhra Pradesh is a good investment destination and would work towards getting investors to invest in various sectors in the state.

Yagi also requested the Chief Minister to ensure that the Joint Monitoring Committee (consisting of PMO and state-level officers) which was formed earlier) oversees the Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor.

JICA grant to develop strategies for the growth of Andhra Pradesh was also discussed during the meeting. That apart, the Chief Minister said that AP would also promote Japanese culture in hotels and also establish Buddhist Tourism Circuits.

The Chief Minister said that the Government of Singapore, Government of Japan and Government of AP could meet in January and explore the possibility of working together on plans to develop Andhra Pradesh.