Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu meets top ministers and government officials besides the Telugu community in the UAE seeking investments and unveiling welfare schemes for NRTs….reports Asian Lite News
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister arrives in the UAE as part of his world tour to attract investments and promote opportunities in the state. He discusses developing better economic relations with Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, UAE. The chief minister also unveiled three welfare schemes for Non-Resident Telugus (NRTs).
The chief minister and the UAE Minister discussed the means of consolidating the joint economic and trade co-operation between the UAE and Andhra Pradesh, by focussing on potential opportunities in the fields of innovation and advanced technology, along with infrastructure, logistical services, agriculture and aviation projects. Indian Ambassador to the UAE HE Navdeep Suri was also present.
The meeting also presented the outcomes of a visit by a senior UAE economic delegation, which was headed by Al Mansouri, to Andhra Pradesh at the start of the current year, and the resulting understanding and joint co-operation. Both sides discussed the possibility of further developing their partnership and increasing mutual investments in several vital sectors, while benefiting from their current joint development projects.
Welfare Schemes for NRTs
Naidu at an event held at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, the Indian High School, unveiled unveiled a 24/7 helpline, Rs1 million (Dh56,432) insurance scheme and an emergency fund for Non-Resident Telugu workers in the Gulf.
Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS), a government-owned body operational since May 2016, will implement the schemes unveiled by the chief minister.
“You are not alone,” the Andhra Pradesh chief minister told the crowded hall amidst applause. “There’s Andhra government and Chandrababu Naidu behind you in times of need. I assure you that I will personally help you out if you have any problem.”
Andhra Pradesh NRI Minister Kollu Ravindra and Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Urban Housing Minister P. Narayana were also attended the event.
The chief minister was in the UAE as part of his three nation visit – US, UAE and the UK. He met several investors like Lulu Group Chairman Mr Yusuf Ali and New Medical Centre/UAE Exchange chief Mr BR Shetty.
“AP Migrants’ welfare and development policy” was approved by the state cabinet a week ago. The government is also implementing schemes to upgrade the skills of potential and existing migrants.
The policy with a budget of Rs400 million aims at the welfare, safety and rehabilitation of the NRTs. It provides a comprehensive framework with features like a 24X7 helpline, accident and health insurance cover, legal assistance and an emergency mobilisation and repatriation fund. As many as 2.5 million NRTs from around the world will be benefited through this, according to the state government. Almost 900,000 NRTs reside in the Gulf countries sending almost Rs300 billion to their state every year.
The insurance scheme provides a coverage of Rs1 million for accidental death or permanent disability, up to Rs100,000 for hospitalisation and up to Rs45,000 for legal expenses will be provided. The estimated premium payable to insurance companies is Rs375 for a period of three years (Rs125 per annum). This will have contribution of Rs150 (Rs50 per annum) by the insured emigrant and Rs225 (Rs75 per annum) by the government of Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra-UAE Ties
During the meeting with Mr Naidu, UAE Economy Minister Al Mansouri highlighted the strength of the economic and trade ties between the UAE and India, which is reflected in the increasing volume of external trade and investment exchange between the two countries and the current diversity in their economic and trade co-operation, presenting an exceptional example of international relations.
Al Mansouri added that this mutual co-operation also includes the key sectors of infrastructures, energy, industry, trade, advanced technology, logistical services and financial services, along with aviation and air transport, which is reflected in India’s leading position on the list of the UAE’s trading partners, with the value of their non-oil trade exchange exceeding US$35.9 billion in 2016.
The meeting, which was held at the ministry’s headquarters in Dubai, was attended by Abdullah Al Fan, Assistant Under-Secretary for Industrial Affairs; Khalifa Al Qubaisi, Deputy Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development; Ahmed Al Falahi, UAE Trade Attache to India, and Mohammed Hamdan Nasser Al Zaabi, Director of the Trade Promotion and Investment Department at the Ministry. The Indian delegation included Yanamala Rama Krishundu, Minister of Finance and Planning in the State of Andhra Pradesh, and Navdeep Singh Suri, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the UAE, along with several senior officials and representatives of government authorities from the Indian state.
