Chandrababu wants US Consulate in Vijayawada

"Most of the people flying to the US from the state hail from this region (Vijayawada). Hence, it would be beneficial if you set up an office there," Mr Naidu told members of a delegation from the US State Department who called on him at the Secretariat here.

The delegation comprised of Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Puneet Talwar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Atul Keshap, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Kenneth B Handelman and Consul General Michael Mullins, among others.

Mr Naidu's office quoted the US officials as saying that they would consider the possibility of setting up a branch office in Vijayawada.

The officials also evinced interest in investing in India's defence technologies.

The Chief Minister said Visakhapatnam is home to Eastern Naval Command and welcomed them to invest in AP.

He explained that his focus is on manufacturing as well as the service sector.

"We want to focus on automobiles, electronics, agro-processing, petrochemicals and other areas too apart from IT," Mr Naidu said.

He said Andhra Pradesh has the potential to become the logistics hub for South East Asia where companies can manufacture goods and export to other countries through the state's ports.

On building capital city for the state, the Chief Minister informed them that Singapore is preparing the master plan for it and works for the capital city will start in another 2-3 months.

"Singapore Second Minister (trade and industry) S Iswaran will be visiting us this month. So we will begin the works in another 2-3 months," Mr Naidu said.

Andhra Pradesh government has already expressed desire to develop a new capital in Tullur and Mangalagiri mandals of Guntur district on the Vijayawada-Guntur stretch.