The twin blasts that rattled >Hyderabad on Thursday had its indirect impact too. The trade and industry worry that the blasts could mar the image of Brand Hyderabad.

Several businesses and shopping establishments across the State Capital closed shutters last evening soon after the bombs exploded. They have beefed up vigil when they opened shops this morning.

“It will have some impact on the image. As it is Hyderabad brand has been impacted because of political events. The global audience do not have any idea where Dilsukhnagar is located in Hyderabad. It is far away from the IT and biotechnology hubs but they will not know this,” Murali Bukkapatnam, President of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), told Business Line .

While condemning the cowardly act, he said that business could be carried out as usual. Citing the Israeli example, he said that country continued to do well despite the occurrence of such events there. Devendra Surana, President of Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI), echoed this view. He felt that the Brand Hyderabad had taken a hit. “People outside will look at Hyderabad with suspicion (after the blast),” he said.

The blasts actually added to the series of developments that marred the image of the city. “Satyam and then Telangana issue had impacted. Now, it is the blasts,” he said.

“These issues are overshadowing the positive things such as low-cost destination and human resources,” he said.

Bipin Chandra Dutt Pendyala, Secretary of ITsAP (IT and IT-enabled services industry association of Andhra Pradesh), felt that the events would not impact the industry at all. “The industry would move on. Such events happen all over. They happen in the US and Europe but things go on there,” he said.

kurmanath.kanchi@thehindu.co.in

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