Sri K.B.Narasimha Prasad, President, Andhra Chamber of Commerce; Sri A.Ramesh Prasad, Vice-President and Chairman, Secunderabad Advisory committee; Sri T.G.Venkatesh, MLA and industrialist; Sri A.M.Rao, Mrs.A.K.Rao and friends. 

It is a very happy occasion for me to be present here. This is one of the oldest organizations trying their best to support the industry, trade and commerce since 82 years.  In the earlier years, when we talk of this Chamber of Commerce, middle class and lower middle class traders used to say that this chamber will take care of big industrialists only.  But now they have also changed their attitude.  In the recent past they were telling me that the Chamber of Commerce is also taking necessary steps to support us to help us.  I congratulate the management of chamber of commerce for this positive change.  Actually, this organization was headed by very eminent personalities.  All of them are pioneers in industry.  Government at the national level has got the habit of consulting all chamber of commerce organizations, CCI etc., while faming the budget at the national level.  At state level, it is happening now and then but not regularly.  While I was preparing the budget for 2009-10, I told our financial people that from hereafter, whenever we go for the new budget, we will have to consult the people of Trade & Commerce also.  After all, they want to exist and they want to help the government.  They are the most law abiding people. I am assuring you from next financial year onwards, we will consult you also, take your advice for the betterment of the State of Andhra Pradesh.  As all of you know well, Andhra Pradesh has picked up in industrialization and IT exports. Sri Rajasekhara Reddy took the reins of the State in 2004 when the agricultural was in total neglect.  Since ours is an agrarian State, Sri Rajasekhara Reddy wanted to extend maximum support to agriculture.  Once there was a feeling among the agricultural community.  Agriculture will not give us food.  “However, we toil, no remunerative prices, no support from the government, we are left to our fate”, this was their feeling.  But Rajasekhara Reddy started supporting agriculture and his theme was that agriculture also is dependable like any other sector.  The farmer need not shed his tears and go back to his home.  He must get remunerative prices. Thus as you all know, Government has taken lot of steps.  He was not satisfied with the support and growth of agriculture.  He was equally concerned about other sectors also.  Now we will pay necessary attention to the industry, trade and commerce.  Without industrialization, I believe the State cannot prosper.  You know this government’s industrial policy.  It will be changing now and then.  As far as my knowledge goes, we were charging the lowest power tariff for the industrial sector in the country.  There is no other state which has offered so low a tariff for industrial sector.  Not only that, in the past, this State has not bothered about SEZs though there were number of Economic Zones in Gujarat on the sea coast.  But late Sri Rajasekhara Reddy started taking up SEZs in a very big way. If I remember well we have applied for 51 SEZs and we got clearances for 45.  Apart from SEZs, we welcomed industrial investments in to the state.  If you look at FDIs. Once upon a time, our share was very negligible.  But during the last five years, it has steadily increased.  We also paved the way for bringing foreign institutional investments also.  Because of recent global meltdown, India also has stated its effect.  Andhra Pradesh cannot be an exception to this malady.   Our great Prime Minister who is known as an international economist, the meltdown effect is slowly stabilizing. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr.Ahluwalia, Vice President of Planning Commssion, were mentioning one day that ‘now we are in the take off stage once again’.  In the coming three four months, we will see little change from the bad position.  It will not go to worse.  But there will be some improvement.  The Government will take care of all the sections of the society in the three months.  Industry is one area, where we will have to pay special attention.  I will go through the memorandum given by Mr. Narasimha Prasad, and also ask my department to examine the issues raised in it.  I assure you that I will look into it.  What ever that has to be rectified we will definitely rectify and do the needful.  Another important thing is that Andhra Pradesh is fortunate with the leadership of late Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy. He fought with the Centre repeatedly and succeeded in his attempts.  Barring Steel plant at Vizag, no another big industry from the central public sector has come to this state. BHEL and NTPC power plant equipment manufacturing unit is coming up at Mannavaram near Sri Kalahasti in Chittoor district, for which the Prime Minister has given the clearance.  It is being set up at a cost of Rs.6,000 crore in which thousands of people are going to get employment.  With this quite a number of ancillary units are also likely to come in the area.  Vizag Steel Plant expansion is another good sign.  Government of India have decided to invest about around Rs.9,000 crore for the expansion.  Apache foot wear industry is another company which is one of the top three manufacturers in the world of foot wear which is functioning in Nellore district for the past one and half years. They are also going for expansion.  Late Rajasekhara Reddy was to inaugurate it shortly.  But unfortunately, we missed him.  Another development is, from Colombo, Brandix Company has started their operations and their gigantic unit is slated for inauguration at Vizag.  I look to all of you and through you to your friends who have not attended to this meeting.  Please help the State to grow.  Come forward.  Make investments.  Ours is a very friendly state for investments.  You must have seen the World Bank’s report recently.  They said, Hyderabad particularly is a very friendly city for investments.  This is a great pat for us.  With the support of all of you the State Government will strive hard to perform better in all aspects.  We have got major plants with some more coming up in the power sector.  As for as Agriculture is concerned, we continue to support it.  Under Irrigation, no other country has thought of  taking up so many projects at one go.  If you remember well, the only project, Nagarjuna Sagar was thought of long long back.  But Rajasekhara Reddy’s vision was totally different.  He has taken up 81 projects and so far about 13 were completed and water released.  About 20 lakh acres is getting water.  In Education front also if you see, there were a very universities in the state.  To my knowledge there is no other Chief Minister who has granted for establishment of 16 universities at one go.  Like wise 6 government medical colleges were started during his period.  I had the privilege of working as Minister for Medical & Health for four years.  During those days, ie. during the British and post-British period there were 11 medical colleges in the entire state.  During Rajasekhara Reddy’s rule of five years alone, he has granted six medical colleges.  And the 7th one he wanted to start in the Chest Hospital at Errgadda with as bed strength of 700.  You all know that the State was agitating for one IIIT  Dr.Reddy sanctioned 3 IIITs at one go with a capital investment of Rs.1,200 crore each with an intake of 2000 people.  He wanted to give representation to all the regions.  Each Mandal can depute five pupil subject to reservations.  This type of system was not available in earlier days.

I am happy to be with all of you.  I have great respect for veterans sitting in this hall.  Sr.T.G.Venkatesh is a very enthusiastic person and industrialist.  He has donated for may causes.  Presently, he has donated this Atluri Koteswar Rao Memorial Hall today where I am sure that number of activities would take place in future.  I am sure that all your endeavours will succeed.  Thank you for the opportunity given to me.