The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Thursday launched its southern regional council in Hyderabad.
ICC did not have a chapter in the South and it has decided to have one based out of Hyderabad, its southern region chairman and Gayatri group vice-president T. Rajiv Reddy said at the launch function here.
In the region, ICC would work with State governments towards industrial development as well as focus on a few sectors, including agriculture, food processing, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology and healthcare.
Industries and IT Minister K. T. Rama Rao, unveiling the ICC chapter in south India, said the chamber was one of the oldest in the country. He wanted the ICC to focus on the growth of the MSME sector and on mentoring young entrepreneurs in the region.
Speaking on growth opportunities in Telangana, he highlighted programmes and initiatives of the State government, including uninterrupted power supply, and irrigation schemes.
The State government, Mr. Rao said, was working on all-round inclusive development. On the industrial front, it had in the last three years approved 6,700 units, attracted projects entailing investments of $20 billion and providing direct employment to five lakh people.
Immediate past president of ICC Shashwat Goenka said the chamber was headquartered in Kolkata and planned to expand to many more regions and States.
