In a major fillip to the State government’s plans to develop the electronics industry, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has come forward to invest in Andhra Pradesh
Mukesh Ambani-led RIL has plans to manufacture 10 million mobile phones per annum in Andhra Pradesh. The RIL is looking for 150 acres of land to start a cellphone manufacturing unit near Tirupati in Chittoor district.
The government is planning to offer it at Tirupati where already an electronic manufacturing park exists. Besides Jio Phones, RIL would make other electronic products including television sets, set-top boxes among other things. If all clearances were given, a foundation stone laying ceremony would be held in next two weeks.
Mr. Ambani met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat at Velagapudi, near here, on Tuesday. He visited Real Time Governance Centre (RTG Centre) established in first block of the Secretariat, and later in the evening had dinner with Mr, Naidu at his official residence.
Mr. Ambani told the Chief Minister that RIL plans to create 100 entrepreneurial industries in association with the Andhra Pradesh government. The RIL also evinced interest in working together with the State government in the agriculture sector . Mr. Ambani said, “If you (government) allow private investment, we have plans to invest in agriculture, education and heath sectors.”
Earlier, Mr. Naidu floored the RIL CEO with the RTG facility at the Secretariat. Mr. Ambani showered praises on the Chief Minister saying, “You (Mr. Naidu) are way ahead than everything that I have seen. I never imagined that you have implemented everything that I have seen and heard.”
Mr. Ambani also expressed the view that Andhra Pradesh has a biggest opportunity to market its technology.
The State government can charge the Union government with the kind of system and technology you developed. This is your biggest opportunity. “The time is not far. . For the massive use of your data, you will get paid,” he said.
Mr. Naidu said: “ I love always one thing in Dhirubhai and Mukesh. They think big and implement what they aim for. Scaling up and cost effective.”
Panchayat Raj and IT Minister Nara Lokesh received Mr. Ambani at Gannavaram airport.
