Singapore to import fruits, vegetables from Andhra

Hyderabad, March 20 : Singapore President S.R. Nathan Saturday agreed in principle to import fruits and vegetables from Andhra Pradesh, the chief minister's office said.

During the meeting with Chief Minister K. Rosaiah here, the visiting president assured him that he would convince the industrialists and investors in his country to invest in Andhra Pradesh. He also invited Rosaiah to visit Singapore.

"Mr. Nathan agreed in principle to import fruits and vegetables from Andhra Pradesh through societies in large scale," said a statement from the chief minister's office.

Nathan, who visited Hindu temple at Tirupati Friday, told Rosiah that he was very happy to visit one of the fastest growing states in India.

Rosaiah informed him that there are special plans to develop Tirupati and also establish an international airport there.

The chief minister said that the atmosphere is conducive in Andhra Pradesh for massive investments in various sectors.

He said the state provides the best infrastructure facilities for investors with single window clearance and maximum incentives in the country.

Rosaiah told the Singapore president that there are many sectors like IT, infrastructure, food processing etc. where Singapore investors could invest.

He pointed out that Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its report ranked Andhra Pradesh as the second best investment destination in the country.

"We are first among the best in many sectors. We also have lowest power tariff for industrial sector, abundant natural resources and vast skilled and unskilled human resources" said Rosaiah.

Rosiah told Nathan that the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad was declared the world's best airport in the 5-15 million passengers category. It was also declared the fifth best airport in the world.

He said the Indian School of Business (ISB) was named one of the top 12 business schools in the world.