HYDERABAD: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will visit Hyderabad in November as the head of a trade, information technology and cultural delegation to discuss mutual cooperation and investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh.

This was decided when Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, now on a US tour, met the California Governor on the latter's invitation on Wednesday. Dr. Reddy, who flew to California along with his delegation, in a private jet, urged Mr. Schwarzenegger to explore possibilities of investments in IT, biotechnology, pharma, food processing, business process outsourcing, micro-irrigation and water conservation.

Praise for YSR

The two leaders indulged each other in mutual admiration. Extolling the virtues of his guest, the actor-turned Governor said "You are a blend of a farmer but a modern administrator and astute politician. That is what is wanted in an agrarian economy, particularly in a developing democratic country like India. You are doing very well on the farm, water and irrigation front."

Not to be outdone, Dr. Reddy told Mr. Schwarzenegger, actor of the "Terminator" series fame, "You are very popular in India not only as the Governor of California but also as a very good actor. Even in my State, you have many fans."

Expressing his admiration for India's liberal democracy, he said every fourth Indian in California hailed from Andhra Pradesh to which Dr. Reddy responded by saying that the State had made rapid strides in IT and achieved 56 per cent growth in software exports. Later, the Lt. Governor of California John Garamendi hosted `high tea' for the Chief Minister.

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