Chandrababu Naidu. Photo: PTI Chandrababu Naidu. Photo: PTI

Companies from Japan are ready to join hands in building the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, the designing of which will be done by Singapore, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Monday. Claiming his five-day visit to Japan was a success, Naidu told reporters here that several Japanese companies expressed their willingness to be partners in building the state capital.

Naidu, who went to Singapore last month, said Singapore will prepare the master plan for the capital. He hopes to finalize the plan when Singapore's Trade and Commerce Minister S. Iswaran visits India later this month. "The Japanese companies are ready to associate in construction, environment and other requirements of the city," the chief minister said. "It will be a deadly combination," he added.

The government plans to build the capital on 30,000 acres in Guntur-Vijayawada region in five years. It is estimated to cost Rs.1 lakh crore.

Naidu said he had fruitful discussions with Japanese government organisations, industry bodies and companies and exuded the hope that this will result in attracting investment to the state. The chief minister announced that a separate cell for Japanese firms will be opened in the industries department for speedy clearances and to extend all help to those keen to invest.

The proposed cell will have a few escort executives who speak Japanese.