Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Israeli firms likely to bid for State's LI schemes: CM

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD Sept. 19. The world famous agri-tech exhibition held in Israel every two years is proposed to be organised in the State annually from next year with the sponsorship of the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, which is also involved in the show in that country.

The plans on the exhibition which is mainly intended to attract investors in agricultural processing, micro irrigation, seed promotion and other agricultural activities, were revealed to the media on Friday by Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, on his return from a visit of Italy and Israel.

Mr. Naidu said though the Israeli institute had agreed in principle to participate in the exhibition, the State Government would enter into negotiations with it in January-February. `Netafem', the world's biggest company in pressurised irrigation, which is also involved in promotion of drip and sprinkler irrigation in Israel, has also been invited to participate in the exhibition in the State. The company has been asked to prepare an irrigation scheme for the State and some other firms to set up agro-processing units.

The State Government would also invite the participation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to the exhibition.

The Chief Minister said a team would be sent to Israel to replicate the agricultural demonstration farms in the State. The Chairman of A.P. Infrastructure Corporation, P.V. Rao, has stayed back there to study the desert reclamation practice and implement the same with Anantapur as a case study.

Three Israeli companies, including Tahal and Netafem, have been asked to participate in tendering for major lift-irrigation schemes to come up at Devadula, Kalwakurthi and other places but they would have to integrate their operations with drip irrigation.

Mr. Naidu hoped that with such major companies coming to the State research could pick up and large infrastructure created. Netafem has even agreed to set up a manufacturing unit in the State. The companies have been asked to set up agro-processing units at Anantapur, Kuppam and a Telangana district close to the city.

He added that the Government would collaborate with the Weitzman Institute, an Israel-based institute of excellence, which is involved in research in project mode in life sciences.

Not too confident about Formula One

Referring to his Italy trip and the efforts to bring Formula One to the State, Mr. Naidu did not sound too confident although he said the F1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone, was willing to come here during the Afro-Asian Games to study the infrastructure. The Government would have to work out various details about the project, including viability and permission. Karnataka and Maharashtra have also shown interest to get the track. The Government is discussing the issue from all angles, including extending subsidy, he added.

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