The one-day Diplomatic Outreach Programme being held by YSR Congress party government headed by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to showcase Andhra Pradesh as the most desired destination for trade, commerce and investments is understood to have not evinced much interest from countries.
According to sources from Delhi, though several countries have agreed to take part in the programme, they have not sent any big leaders to the meeting.
“Many of them have sent their junior level officers as a matter of courtesy, that too, with the insistence of the ministry of external affairs,” a source in Delhi said.
Apparently, the countries were apprehensive about the industrial climate in the state after the Jagan government’s recent decision to reserve 75 per cent jobs to the locals in all the private firms setting up their shops in the state.
“They are going to adopt a wait and watch approach before giving any commitments on investments in the state,” the source said.
The programme is expected to be attended by representatives of over 35 nations to explore the opportunities of investments in core sectors of mutual interest.
The State Government will dwell upon the potential areas and priority sectors that are open for FDI and interact with the visiting diplomats and tell them about the scope of investments in infrastructure development, pharma, agro products, skill development, technology transfer, healthcare, backward area development projects and other sectors.