Thursday, July 13 2006 17:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Urging big business groups to invest in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Thursday said the state offered good infrastructure, communication connectivity and skilled manpower.

Addressing CEOs of the companies operating from Delhi and its neighbourhood, Rajasekhara Reddy said the state would soon construct an outer ring road with radial link roads that would enable one to reach capital Hyderabad from any part of the state in not more than 40 minutes.

"The state already has three USPs; good infrastructure, communication connectivity and skilled manpower apart from availability of power on low tariff," he told the prospective investors.

"We will introduce more infrastructure developments and policy changes to make the investment atmosphere in the state more conducive," he said.

According to state officials around 160 businessmen attended the meeting.

The meet, organised by APInvest, followed a similar meeting held in Bangalore recently where the chief minister interacted with top executives of over 130 companies.

At the meeting, Rajasekhara Reddy informed investors about opportunities in important sectors in the state as well as the policy support and other incentives being provided by his government.

The chief minister said a new tourism policy would soon be announced to turn the state into a hot-spot on the tourism map.

"We are planning to introduce a new train, 'Southern Splendour', which would take the tourists on a tour of the entire state" he said.

Defending his government's decision to provide free power to farmers, Reddy said it was an incentive to the struggling agriculturists.

"We would consider withdrawing it when the farmers are economically stronger," he said.

The chief minister, who met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday, has submitted a Rs. 710 billion package for agriculture development in 16 of the 23 districts in the state.