The Andhra Pradesh state government plans to open its doors to Saudi Arabian companies for investment in information technology and pharmaceutical sectors to strengthen bilateral relations.
While ambassador of Saudi Arabia to India Saud Mohammed Al Sati, who is here on a short visit, did not comment on whether a Saudi consulate would be set up in the city, sources in the government said talks were held towards that effect. Hyderabad could well be home to the second Saudi consulate after Mumbai.
There are around three lakh expatriates from the state working in Saudi Arabia and leaders from the state during the day said the government was eager to provide all facilities for setting up the consulate in Hyderabad.
Al Sati said the Saudi government would do everything to help build stronger ties between the two countries. The envoy said Saudi business delegations which hitherto restricted themselves to Bangalore and New Delhi in the past, would now visit Hyderabad also to indentify business opportunities. Interacting with senior Congress leaders and the media, Al Sati said all pending issues would be resolved at length as well. Commenting on the new policy of making it mandatory for pilgrims to book atasneef-registered hotel for people going on Umrah pilgrimage, Al Sati said, “There is a framework, an agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and India. We will see if there is a way to make things easier for the pilgrims.”
Expressing the government’s decision of inviting investments from the Kindgom, former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir said, “The ambassador met the chief minister on Thursday. Our government fully supports the single window system in which investments in fields of information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals from Saudi firms will be invited.”
He further said the government wants students from Saudi Arabia to pursue an education in medicine and engineering in Hyderabad, which boasts of good facilities.
“There are around 125 Saudi students in the city but more in cities like Bangalore and New Delhi. The government has welcomed students to take admission in technical courses. The director general of police has met the ambassador and assured him that Hyderabad is a safe place,” Shabbir told the media.
He also met the director general of police V Dinesh Reddy later in the day to discuss issues regarding Saudi nationals and students living in Hyderabad and the Kingdom.
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