Hyderabad,August'08:The Consulate of United
States of America will start functioning at Hyderabad in a phased manner from
December 2008. This was disclosed by the Consul General of USA, Hyderabad,
Mr.Cornelis M.Keur.
Mr.Cornelis M.Keur, made a courtesy call on the Chief Minister
Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy at camp office on 1st Aug'08 and informed about the
progress of the Consulate at Hyderabad.
During his brief interaction with the Chief Minister, the Consul general said he
likes India and its people very much since his first posting in India was in
1979 and perhaps his present post as Consul General at Hyderabad would be the
last. Stating that the city of Hyderabad is developing fast and attracting
many Multi National Companies, Mr.Cornelis lauded the efforts of the Chief
Minister in providing better infrastructure facilities to its citizens. He
thanked the Chief Minister and his Government for its support and cooperation in
establishing the US Consulate at Hyderabad.
Assuring all the needed support from the Government to the Consulate, the Chief
Minister said that opening of the US Consulate in Hyderabad will be beneficial
both to Andhra Pradesh and the USA. The Chief Minister remarked that Telugu is a
most talked language in places like California, and every third person you meet
there is an Indian and among them every forth person is a Telugu person.
The Chief Minister said that Hyderabad has figured in the list of 12 best cities
of the world for growth and innovation, as per the recent survey done by a
renowned international magazine, 'Fast Company', USA. The Magazine ranked
Hyderabad next only to Beijing on account of it being more diverse than its
rival Indian IT hub, Bangalore. It stated that Hyderabad is home to Microsoft,
Accenture and IBM and also has strong Pharma, aviation centre, and a new
world-class international Airport.
It may be recalled that the State Government has provided Paigah Palace, as
temporary accommodation to the US Consulate at Hyderabad. The US Consulate will
have its permanent accommodation near the Hitec City soon.