Saudis, NRIs urged to invest in new south Indian state

Riyadh, Aug 21: Nonresident Indians (NRIs) from the Telangana region living in the Kingdom have launched the Telangana Business and Investment Forum (TBIF) to promote trade and investment in the newly formed south Indian state.

Mir Mohsin Ali, secretary-general and media coordinator of TBIF, told Arab News here on Monday that Mir Mahmood Ali, deputy chief minister of Telangana, has welcomed the initiative assuring the prospective NRI investors that they are no longer required to undergo the lengthy process for obtaining the approvals from various departments.

“The Telangana government wholeheartedly welcomes projects from NRIs and Saudi investors and will ensure that the required approvals are granted quickly through the office of our chief minister,” the deputy chief minister said while addressing a group of NRIs at the launch of TBIF at the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Hyderabad. Assuring all possible help and support from the government, Ali urged the NRIs to come forward for investments in the state. He added that the deputy chief minister had also announced that he would soon lead a delegation to Kerala to study the measures taken to help nonresident Keralites.

Reiterating that the government is firm in its assurance to promote the Urdu language in Telangana, the deputy chief minister announced on the occasion that Urdu signboards will be placed on all the departments before Eid Al-Adha.

The government will also float a pension scheme for poets and writers in recognition of their contributions and services. Congratulating the officials of TBIF, the deputy chief minister stressed the need to empower Muslim youth with technical education, personality and soft skills development.

Referring to the pre-police action era as the “golden era”, the deputy CM expressed concern over the poor standard of living of the members of erstwhile royal families and promised to take the necessary steps to help them.

The deputy CM is planning to visit the Kingdom to perform Haj this year, following which he is expected to visit Jeddah and Riyadh with the Telangana government delegation for a solution to the problems of Telanganaites living in the Kingdom.

Senior Congress leader and AICC national coordinator for minority affairs Mohammed Khaleequr Rahman appreciated the TBIF initiative. Rahman has been instrumental in the formation of the TBIF and has been closely associated with the Saudi NRIs and their issues.

Mohammed Ashraf Ali has been elected as president of TBIF while Syed Akram Mohiuddin is the vice president.