A business delegation from the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh visited the Kingdom last week to explore joint ventures, outsourcing and trade alliances in diverse sectors. These included infrastructure, construction, architecture and engineering design, interior design, high-end jewelry, oil-based products, solar water heaters and street lamps, among others. The business meet was sponsored and organized by the Andhra Pradesh Youth Welfare Association (APYWA) and Telugu Academy – Jeddah as part of efforts to promote Indian business, companies and traders, especially from the state of Andhra Pradesh. Siraj Hassan, a renowned Andhra Pradesh-based architect and interior designer, said that there is a lot of opportunities for architectural and engineering consultants with the booming construction industry in the Kingdom. Hassan has designed wide-ranging prestigious projects across the metropolitans of India through Siraj & Renu Architects and Interior Designers. He said his firm was looking to acquire an outsourcing business related to architectural, engineering and interior design, and received a warm response from various consulting firms in Jeddah and Riyadh. The S.S group of companies, which has diverse business interests with a focus on infrastructure projects, was represented by Suresh Bajaj, a well-known businessman from Andhra Pradesh. He said that with billion-dollar infrastructure projects throughout the Kingdom, a lot of companies have shown interest in teaming up with their firm. Bajaj, whose group also owns Krsala Jewellery which is well-known for its unique antique designs studded with precious stones, said that Saudi jewelers have also shown a keen interest in their products and expressed a willingness to synergize. Mir Hyder Ali, managing director at Yakon Trading Company, said his company was already involved in trading various oil-based products such as oil derivatives, filter clay and filter cloth with the Kingdom. The company is now planning to venture into trading food grains and industrial-grade finished products apart from solar water heaters, solar street lamps and solar panels. Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, APYWA general secretary, said the association was planning to organize an exhibition for handicrafts and artifacts in order to provide market exposure to the fine arts of Andhra Pradesh. Zubair Mohammed, president of the association, thanked the Saudi business community for giving a warm reception to the business delegation from Andhra Pradesh. He also said such initiatives would go a long way in promoting business and trade relations between the two countries. Aijaz Ahmed Khan, vice president of Indian Youth Welfare Association and Jeddah Cricket Association – Jeddah, Syed Baqer Ali, media coordinator at the APYWA and Telugu Academy – Jeddah, Mohammed Irfan, Gulf correspondent Andhra Jyothi and Hans India played vital roles in organizing the business meets.
