Davos: Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates assured chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu that he would support Andhra Pradesh in technology, application development and start-ups, education, health and immunisation programmes. After attending a private dinner hosted by Gates in Davos, Naidu had a 40-minute meeting with him. The chief minister made a presentation on Andhra Pradesh’s innovation and start-up policy and also about the skill development programme to him.
Gates, who met Naidu after 10 years, said he would explore the possibility of setting up Microsoft Development Centre in the State. The Chief Minister interacted with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and discussed about investment opportunities.
In another 30-minute meeting with Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt, the Chief Minister got an assurance from him that the company would support AP in its digital literacy programme.
In other meetings, the chief minister met B Goenka of Welspun Group and also took part in a session on “Global Dilemmas: Building responsible supply chains for tomorrow’s consumers.” He also met Sunil Mittal of Bharti Group and discussed on 4G services in the State. Naidu also interacted with Walmart International CEO, David Cheesewright, Wipro Chairman Azim Premji, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi and Sunil Kant Munjal of the Hero Group.
During his interaction with Cheesewright, Naidu was informed that Walmart was planning to open retail stores in Andhra Pradesh while creating opportunities to promote and purchase ‘Made in Andhra’ products. PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi told Naidu that the company has agreed to buy the total production of 70 million tonnes of mango pulp in the State. The company also came forward to set up mango pulp units in Chittoor, Krishna and Godavari districts. To encourage coconut farmers in Konaseema, PepsiCo has evinced interest in packaging and branding of tender coconut water.
