After developing industrial infrastructure under a public-private partnership framework, Andhra Pradesh has planned some more new initiatives, including a Green Business City, a knowledge city, a gem and jewellery park and special economic zones.

The Green Business City, spread over 1,000 acres in Jedcherla, will showcase green technology and be promoted by the Confederation of Indian Industry-Green Business Centre and the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) Limited.

"It is also aimed at introducing eco efficiency in industrial development in minimising environmental impact," said B.P. Acharya, vice-chairman and managing director, APIIC Limited, at the summit on 'sustainable public private partnerships in infrastructure in southern states' organised by CII.

Also on the anvil is a Knowledge City at Hindupur in Anantapur district, about 70 km from the proposed Bangalore International Airport and 20 km from Puttaparthi airport. The project for IT, IT enabled services (ITES) and biotechnology sectors will come up over 500 acres of land.

A special economic zone at Kakinada and another at Krishnapatnam port are also planned.

Then there is a gems and jewellery park in Hyderabad to promote diamond cutting, polishing and trading.

A major infrastructure project, currently being developed, comprises an integrated township, an 18-hole international golf course, convention centre and a business hotel near Hitec City-Cyberabad near here.

The world-class convention centre, with a seating capacity of 6,000, will be ready by December this year. The fourth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual meet of Indian Diaspora, scheduled from Jan 7-9, will be the first event to be held at the new centre.

The first major public-private partnership project taken up in the state was Hitec City-Cyberabad, which changed the face of Hyderabad and the state. Established jointly by Larsen and Toubro and APIIC in 1996, it put Hyderabad on global IT map.

More than Rs.4.5 billion have been invested in the project, which has a built up area of 1.8 million sq ft. The first phase, Cyber Towers, as well as the second phase known as Cyber Gateway have been fully occupied. The third phase Cyber Pearl is ready for occupation.

More than 100 multinational companies are using these facilities.

Another major project in the same area is the Rs.6 billion Mind Space Project for IT and ITES companies.

Acharya said public private partnerships were not just confined to IT, ITES, hotel and tourism sectors. Genome Valley, India's first state of the art biotech cluster spread over 600 square km and providing world class infrastructure, is buzzing with activity.

The projects are not limited to Hyderabad.

Work has already started on the Rs.2.65 billion Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City at coastal city of Visakhapatnam. Selection of developers is also in progress for a special economic zone in the town.