Friday, March 3 2006 15:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: The US has agreed to a long-standing demand for setting up of a consulate here bringing cheers to people of Andhra Pradesh, who seek US visas.

"The US and Indian government have agreed on the setting up of a US consulate in Hyderabad," Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy told reporters after the departure of US President George W Bush from Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University here today(Mar 3,2006).

An official communication to this effect has already been received by the state government, official sources said.

The state government will provide the Dilkusa guest house in the city to house the consulate till a permanent accommodation is ready in city, the sources added.

The setting up of a consulate in Hyderabad will be significant in view of the fact that over 25 per cent of Indian software professionals present in the US are from Andhra Pradesh.

About 40 per cent of visa applications received by the US consulate at Chennai are from Andhra Pradesh, according to officials.