Centre should do more to ease rules for doing business: Chandrababu Naidu

DAVOS: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu said that the central government should do more to simplify rules for doing business in the country and convince the Congress to support the goods and services tax (GST) bill.

In an exclusive interview with ET in Davos, Switzerland, he said the Modi government has done a lot to simplify rules. But it must do more, he said.

"All hope is on India. The world is in turmoil. Foreign investors are worried about ease of doing business in the country. India should do more," Naidu said.

On GST, Naidu said all parties must rise above politics. He called upon the government to do more to convince the Congress to support it. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister said the Congress stalled the land acquisition bill though farmers’ rights can only be protected through growth and development. In Andhra Pradesh, he said, the government will simplify rules to enable easier land purchases.

He said the Modi government has done a lot to promote India’s image abroad and has created a good climate for the country. "Everything can’t be done overnight," he said. Everybody must rise above politics. Development must be only agenda, Naidu said.

He said foreign investors and Indian businessmen are planning to invest heavily in Andhra Pradesh and the recent business meet had generated big interest.

Earlier this month, the state received commitments for investment worth Rs 4.78 lakh crore at the CII Partnership Summit held in Vishakapatanam. The proposals involved 331 memoranda of understandings the state signed with companies and promise to create 10 lakh jobs.