Hyderabad, Feb 24 (IANS): American companies are keen to invest in Hyderabad, according to US Ambassador to India Richard Verma.

On his first visit to the southern city after taking over as the ambassador last month, Verma Tuesday met Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, Verma said his country was keen to have better ties with the newly-created state.

The ambassador said many US companies were already having their presence in Hyderabad. He also pointed out that the cabin for the US president's helicopters were being manufactured here.

They discussed further strengthening of relations between the US and Telangana.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, said many students from Telangana were studying in the US and a large number of people from the state were employed and settled there.

They also discussed construction of a permanent building for the US consulate at Gachibowli here.

Verma told KCR that the US government and companies were keenly watching the new policies and programmes launched by the Telangana government.

The chief minister explained about the new industrial policy and the efforts of his government to encourage further investment in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana.

Verma had Monday met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to discuss the areas of collaboration.

He enquired about the investment opportunities for US companies in the defence sector, education, science and technology, IT, tourism, infrastructure and ports in Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu explained the potential for tourism in the state and also said Andhra has the potential to become the logistics hub of South East Asia.

On partnership with the US on developing Visakhapatnam as a smart city, the chief minister said things have to be worked out fast and work has to begin immediately.