Chennai : The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Mr. N. Kiran Kumar Reddy inaugurated the ‘Sri City Progress Celebrations-2013’ in a colorful ceremony held here this morning. The function was held to commemorate the triumphant run of Sri City, the largest multi- product SEZ in South India, for the past five years. Mr. Ravindra Sannareddy, Managing Director, Sri City received and extended a warm welcome to the Chief Minister at helipad.

On his arrival at Business Centre, the Chief Minister was given a formal reception by Mr. Srini Raju, Chairman, Sri City.

The Chief Minister dedicated 28 units, of which 13 are operational and the remaining in the advance stage of commissioning. Also, he performed groundbreaking ceremony for 10 more units. All put together, a total sum of about Rs. 4,600 crores will be invested by these units, creating job opportunity for over 9,300 people.

Addressing the gathering of chiefs and senior executives of various industries, the Chief Minister said, “I was associated with Sri City ever before its inception, and at every stage I involved myself. I appreciate Mr. Srini Raju and Mr. Ravindra Sannareddy for turning a barren land into a busy industrial hub. Today, it is considered as the best SEZ in the country, for which I am very proud. Soon it will be a mega industrial hub, as it is a part of the proposed Chennai-Bengaluru industrial corridor “.

The Chief Minister said his government is very keen to extend all infrastructure facilities to industries. He assured uninterrupted power to Sri City industries even in summer.

Mr. K. Pradeep Chandra, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt. & CIP, Industries & Commerce in his address mentioned that the single window system adopted for approvals is working well and the state government is extending its full support to the investors.

Mr. Ravindra Sannareddy, traced the journey embarked upon by Sri City five years back that met with overwhelming success. Giving a synopsis of the current status, he mentioned, “With 28 more companies progressing to the operational phase, 10 companies that witnessed groundbreaking and other companies that have signed agreements, the aggregate of the units in Sri City has crossed 100. All these companies bring in a proposed investment over Rs.12,500 crores and generate employment for over 20,000.”people.

Later, the Chief Minister met the press and the local invitees. Addressing them, Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy mentioned, “No industry will thrive without the support of the local community. It is obvious that Sri City enjoys such support as it takes care of the local people by creating jobs and providing basic facilities”.    He exuded confidence that Sri City would create maximum employment opportunities to the local people.

The local MLA Mrs. Hemalata also spoke on the occasion.

Other distinguished guests of honor included Mr. Pithani Satyanarayna, Minister for Social Welfare, Mr. Ghanta Srinivasa Rao, Minister for Infrastructure & Investments and Ports, Airports, Natural Gas, Mr. K. Parthasarathy, Minister for Secondary Education and in-charge Minister for Chittor District, Mrs. H. Hemalatha, MLA, Satyavedu, and  Mr. Vakati Narayana Reddy, MLC, Sullurupeta,

Later, the Chief Minister with his entourage visited the manufacturing plants of M/S Danieli and M/S Alstom, which have progressed into production phase.

Other prominent guests included, Mr. K. Ramgopal, IAS, District Collector Chittoor, and Mr. P.H.D. Ramakrishna, IPS, SP, Chittoor.