Best business destination become problematic: Speakers at Hyd Investment Forum- 2012

A decade ago Andhra Pradesh is a one of the best destination in the country, but now becomes one of the biggest problematic State for investments, few industrialists said in a “Hyderabad Investment Forum 2012” organized today (October 11, 2012) at ISB Campus, Gatchibhowli, Hyderabad. The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry in association with Indian School for Business and VC Circle, New Delhi jointly organized this interactive meeting on “Hyderabad Investment Forum 2012”, where hundreds of Industrialists, entrepreneurs, business experts and business consultants have participated. 

Industries, entrepreneurs, business experts are suffering with heavy power problem in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Through this power problem many of industries is closing their unit’s sometimes whole industries. The industries are also suffering from the Telangana issue and uncertainty in the Government many entrepreneurs have felt. 

Mr. Devendra Surana, President, FAPCCI felt that the Andhra Pradesh with its liberal labour laws, proactive policies, large pool of technical manpower, rich mineral resources and specialized industrial parks with SEZ status is the preferred destination for investors.  Andhra Pradesh is strategically located and is considered as gateway to East & South East Asia.   Investment opportunities are abundant specifically in the manufacturing sector which includes food processing, floriculture, agro processing, petrochemicals, metals, textiles, leather, mining, transport equipment, telecom and so on. The industrialist’s also looking Government support in terms of long term action plans to support industrial sector.

Mr. Suresh Chukkapally said that the urbanization playing a key role in India’s business development and 30% of Indian population living in the cities. Water management, power and land acquisition are the key factors to fulfill people’s needs in the urbanization he said.

Re use and recycle management will give additional support in water management and clean technology Mr. Sudhesh Menon told at the discussion.

Real Estate and urban industrialization is the most prominent sectors and growing predominantly Mr. Mudi Kapoor said.

Mr. Abhay Deshpande - Founder & CEO, Martjack, Ms. Anjuli Sivaramakrishnan - Partner, Kochhar & Co, Mr. Aluri Srinivasa Rao - MD, Morgan Stanley Private Equity, Mr. Deepak Shahdadpuri - Founder & MD, Beacon India Private Equity, Mr. Devendra Surana - MD, Bhagyanagar India Limited (President, FAPCCI), Dr. Ravindranath Kancharla - Chairman & MD, Global Hospitals Pvt. Ltd, Mr. J A Chowdary - Angel Investor (Chairman, Talent Sprint Pvt. Limited), Mr. Karthee Mandasamy - MD, Qualcom Ventures, Mr. Konda Vishweshwar Reddy - MD, Citadel Research and Solutions, Mr. Mudit Kapoor - Assistant Professor, Economics & Public Policy, Indian School of Business, Mr. Parag Dhol - MD, Inventus Capital Partners, Mr. Raj Seelam - MD, Sresta Natural Bioproducts Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Ranjith Boyanapalli - Founder and CEO, Buytheprice.com, Mr. Richard B. Saldanha - Executive Director - Private Equity, Blackstone, Mr. Sateesh Andra - Managing Partner, Ventureast, Mr. Sandeep Reddy - MD, Peepul Capital Advisors, Mr. Santanu Paul - MD & CEO, TalentSprint, Mr. Sanjeev Sehrawat - Sr Director - PE, ICICI Venture, Mr. Sofi Bergkvist - Senior Researcher, Center for Emerging Markets Solutions, ISB, Mr. Sudesh Menon - CEO, Waterlife India Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Sunil Kumar - Director, Ascent Capital, Mr. Suresh Chukkapalli - Founder & Chairman, Phoenix Group, Mr. Vamshi Reddy - Co-founder & CEO, Apalya Technologies, Mr. Venu Donepudi - Founder & Managing Director, CarZ, Mr. Vijay Mahajan - MD, Bhartiya Samruddhi Finance Ltd, Mr. Vikram Vuppala - Founder & CEO, Nephroplus and Mr. Vishwanath Alluri - Founder, Chairman & CEO, IMI Mobile Pvt. Ltd was the key speakers at the occasion. 

4.8 lakh passports issued in 2012: Dr. Srikar Reddy, IFS, Regional Passport Officer

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) in association with Office of the Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Authority organized an Interactive Meeting and Presentation on “Latest Developments in Passport Services and Future Proposals” today (October 11, 2012) at Federation House, Red Hills, Hyderabad. Dr. Srikar Reddy, IFS, Regional Passport Officer, Regional Passport Authority was the chief guest for this occasion.

Mr. Srinivas Ayyadevara, Senior Vice President, FAPCCI, Mr. Shiv Kumar Rungta, Vice President, Mr. Shyam Sunder Pasari, Chairman, International Trade Relations Committee was the key speakers at this occasion. 

Dr. Srikar Reddy said in his key note address is that the without having proper Indian nationals data, we are depending on police enquiry, that’s the reason littlie delay is taking place in issuing the new passports to the applicants. Now, we expecting an authentic data will be collected from the Aadhaar cards, after that all kinds of delays would be shorted it out.

The passport office started open door policy and Passport Seva Kendras and many initiatives have taken to solve the passport related issues and problems in the State of Andhra Pradesh. To solve the many organizational problems, we started passport melas, E-Seva submissions, three documents scheme, frequent emergency passport melas, same day services, and weekend extra work by staff, instant passport insurance adalat programmes etc Dr. Srikar Reddy said.

Now we started 77 Passport Seva Kendras across the country and 6 in the State. Through this new initiative we issued 4.8 lakh passports by September 2012 against 2.48 applications Dr. Reddy said. 

FAPCCI requesting the Govt. to remove VAT on diesel

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry in association with office of the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Government of Andhra Pradesh organizing an interactive meeting on “Value Added Tax, Professional Tax and Other Enactments” today (October 04, 2012) at Federation House, Red Hills, Hyderabad. Mr. Suresh Chanda, IAS, Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Government of Andhra Pradesh was the Chief Guest for this occasion.

Mr. Devendra Surana, President, FAPCCI, Mr. Srinivas Ayyadevara, Senior Vice President, FAPCCI, Mr. Shiv Kumar Rungta, Vice President, FAPCCI, Mr. Ravindra Modi, Chairman, Trade & Commerce Committee and Mr. M.V. Rajeshwara Rao, Secretary General, FAPCCI are the other speakers at the occasion.

Mr. Devendra Surana, President, FAPCCI requested the Chief Minister and Government to remove the VAT on diesel, to strengthen the industrial sector in Andhra Pradesh. Because of uncertainty in the State and power problem, industry and commerce is suffering a lot- he said.

Mr. Devendra Surana in his welcome address stated that the Commissioner is very simple and very straight forward; he gives an immediate clarifications or guidance to us through mail. Commercial Taxes contributes more than 65% to the State Revenues. The department endeavors to transform into an enterprise friendly entity by introducing e-Registration, e-TP, e-Returns, e-Payments, e-Waybills and so on. And he also stated that we as the chambers look forward for implementation of GST Mr. Surana said.

Mr Suresh Chanda, IAS., Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Government of Andhra Pradesh in his address stated that it is always good to have interactions between trade bodies and Department. He informed that when once the dealer is filing returns through online, there is no necessity of paper filing. With regard to filing of Profession tax returns before 10^th of succeeding month, he stated that he will recommend to the government for 15^th. He said that the ordinance on textiles is waiting for the signature of the Hon’ble Governor of AP on 1% tax issue.

He informed that the department has taken many simplification measures like efiling of returns, e-Way bills and streamlining the Check Post etc. He has clarified many queries raised by members of FAPCCI.

Mr. Ravindra Modi, Chairman – Trade & Commerce Committee in his introductory remarks appealed to the Commissioner, that one of the representatives of FAPCCI may be considered in the Advance Ruling Authority for better understanding as in the case of State Level Committee (SLC) for industrial incentives.

He also stated, that FAPCCI is willing to conduct an awareness programmes along with Commercial Taxes Department at district level on a regular basis for better compliance of tax laws, minimizing disputes, sorting out the e-filing problems and other administrative issues.