Zurich Meet: Naidu Bats for Investment in AP’s Key Sectors

Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, on a visit to Switzerland, is showcasing Andhra Pradesh as a territory with vast potential for investment in the manufacturing sector. In specific, he is highlighting sectors like pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tech-textiles, rail components etc.

Naidu, who arrived in Zurich to take part in the World Economic Forum meet on Monday, met Indian ambassador Mridul Kumar at a hotel and discussed the opportunities that AP offers for investments from abroad. Nearly 350 companies like Nestle, ABB, Novartis based in Switzerland have invested in India while some more were ready to do so, the ambassador said.

The CM proposed that efforts be made to see that the upcoming Skilling and AI university in Switzerland should work in coordination with AP. Skilled youths from AP are ready to extend their services in several sectors in Switzerland on a ‘Work From Home’ mode, Naidu stated.

Later, Naidu met CEOs and other top executives from four top companies in Switzerland, including Swissmen (the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Industries Ltd, secretary general Raoul Keller, the Oerlikon (involved in polymer processing) chief executive officer Markus Tacke, Angst Pfister of the high quality industrial components and custom engineered solutions, CEO Erich Schmid, head of economics and external affairs of the Swiss Textiles Bjorn von der Crone and explained to them the vast opportunities for investment in AP.

The chief minister invited them to visit AP with an assurance that they would get skilled human resources in addition to an opportunity to avail the incentives being offered by both the Centre and the state government.

Naidu proposed that apart from opportunities in the manufacturing sector, AP’s universities can work with Swiss research centres in the field of innovation in certain key sectors, and in the setting up of innovation hubs-incubators and plumbing labs. He invited Swiss company representatives to visit AP and see the facilities on offer in the state.

Naidu along with ministers N Lokesh and TG Bharath as also a set of officials received a warm welcome at the Zurich airport from the members of “Europe TDP Forum” and NRIs. The AP contingent interacted with those present at the airport for some time.