Top Swiss companies to invest in Andhra Pradesh

Some of the top Switzerland-based companies showed interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh during a meeting with the state's Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Zurich on Tuesday.

While Zurich-based Flisom, which makes flexible solar modules, proposed to set up a manufacturing plant in the state with an initial investment of $200 million, Gherzi Textile Unit offered to set up Rs 2,000-crore mega textile park.

The chief minister invited the delegations to take up projects on pilot basis in Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu held meetings with various business delegations in Zurich to raise investments for the state before heading to Davos to participate in the three-day World Economic Forum's annual summit.

Meyer Burger, a solar panel manufacturing company, has also evinced interest in starting an export driven project and is contemplating Visakhapatnam and Kakinada as suitable locations, a statement from the chief minister's office said.

Naidu invited BKW Engineering to visit Andhra Pradesh and perform a study on the state's hydro resources and come up with projects. The company, which is specialised in hydro power generation, seemed keen to partner with Andhra Pradesh in the conventional energy sector.

Leclanché, a power storage devices manufacturer, offered to set up a manufacturing facility in India. The delegation evinced interest in choosing Andhra Pradesh as preferred location to set up the plant.

Commodity trading company Indani Global came forward to set up a gold refinery in Andhra Pradesh, if essential incentives are offered. The company executives said that most of the refineries in India are located in Uttarakhand.

Stating that Andhra Pradesh is leading in palm oil production, Naidu asked the delegation to explore the possibility of starting an edible oil refinery.

The chief minister asked Ethical Coffee Company to explore organic Coffee plantations at Araku. He invited eco company ArStaeco to participate in the ongoing tendering process for waste to energy facility in Vizag.

Speaking at the gathering organised by the Telugu NRI community in Zurich, Naidu underlined the role of NRIs who can provide access to markets, sources of investment, expertise, knowledge and technology.