AP to provide one-stop digital platform for all domestic and foreign investments through its Single Desk Portal

Hyderabad: The successful industry meet at Hyderabad on Friday, by the Andhra Pradesh government was the last of the domestic roadshows as part of the run up to the Global Investors Summit 2023 which is scheduled exactly one week away on March 3rd- 4th  2023 in Visakhapatnam.

The state of Andhra Pradesh is showcasing its rich natural resources, large investments in infrastructure, land bank, and intensive reforms in rules and regulations at a successful investors meeting in Hyderabad. These efforts, taken together, position Andhra Pradesh as the state where abundance meets prosperity.

Speaking at the event, Shri. Gudivada Amarnath, Minister for Industries, Infrastructure, Investment & Commerce, Information Technology, Handlooms & Textiles, Andhra Pradesh, said that they had a very positive response so far in the cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. “I believe that such industry meets can enhance collaboration and synergy throughout the nation’s business community,” he said.

Calling the city of Hyderabad very dear to the people of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Amarnath said, “This is the city where North India meets South India, Biology meets Technology and Life Sciences marries Data Sciences.”

The Minister also pointed out similarities between Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, the venue of the summit; he said that Visakhapatnam has always been a strong industrial hub, with its PSU base, port-led infrastructure and sector strengths especially in IT, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, textiles, steel, heavy industry and defence. “Vishakhapatnam is the largest city in Andhra Pradesh and will serve as its administrative headquarters in months to come,” he informed.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh aims to minimise the cost and risk of conducting business; make the regulatory environment more business-friendly by offering best-in-class facilities, hassle-free setup, skilled talent, and end-to-end hand-holding assistance for units.

Shri. Amarnath also stated that the government will shortly introduce a forward-looking Industrial Policy in a new avatar with emphasis on driving economic growth across key focus sectors, promoting port-led industrial development, end to end Investor facilitation skilling and employment generation, promoting entrepreneurship and startup culture, inclusive and balanced regional development.

“We would provide a one-stop digital platform for all domestic and foreign investments through our Andhra Pradesh Single Desk Portal. The business-specific approvals for setting up of business are granted within a maximum timeframe of 21 days,” he added.

Shri. Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, Hon’ble Minister, Finance & Planning, Commercial Taxes, Legislative Affairs, Skill Development & Training, Government of Andhra Pradesh, who is also a driving force at the roadshows across the country was also present and stated at the meet that the state is spending a significant amount of its budget on developing air connectivity in the state, with a greenfield international airport coming up at Bhogapuram near Visakhapatnam at a cost of Rs. 2,500 Crores (USD 300 Million)

“AP has 888 km of national waterway within the state. We intend to develop Inland Waterways, which will reduce the cost of logistics for moving cargo within and outside the state. 27 locations have been identified as prioritized terminals. The waterways will have the potential to handle 10 MT by 2029, which will reduce the cost of logistics and push exports for the state,” said Shri. Rajendranath. 

The ministries, state government institutions and officers from various departments had an open interaction with the investing community in Hyderabad today. Promising to handhold potential investors and facilitate the fastest turnaround time. The presentations showcased the present and upcoming infrastructure and the conducive policy environment of the state. Agriculture, agro-based industries, maritime sector, manufacturing, food processing, ports, IT and electronics, handlooms, and textiles sectors attracted significant interest at the event.

Andhra Pradesh is India’s gateway to the southeast with its 974 km long coastline, the second longest in the country, 6 existing ports, and 4 upcoming ports. Coincidently, it has also emerged as the fastest-growing state in India, as per the number released so far, with double-digit growth of 11.43% in 2021-22. The state has embarked on a rapid growth path under the able leadership of Sri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Honourable Chief Minister. Thanks to the governance reforms and formulation of investor-friendly policies by the government, the state has emerged on top in terms of ease of doing business (EoDB) for three consecutive years.

Consistent improvement in the governance framework to create hassle-free investing is augmented by hard infrastructure. The improvements have been duly recognised and the state has received various awards over the last one year alone. To name a few the LEADS award for logistics 2022, the Inertia Award for Energy 2022, the ET award for port-led and the infrastructure project 2022.

The event was also graced by the key functionaries of the state government including  Mr. C Sekhar Reddy,  Vice-Chairman, CII Telangana State Council and Chairman & Managing Director, CSR Estates Ltd; Dr. Srijana Gummalla, IAS Director, Industries, Commerce & Export Promotion Vice Chairperson & Managing Director AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation CEO, AP Economic Development Board; Sri. Bharat Thota, COO, AP Food Processing Society, Sri. Sagil Shanmohan, IAS CEO, AP Maritime Board Government of Andhra Pradesh; Sri Saurabh Gaur, IAS Secretary to Govt IT, Electronics & Communications Government of Andhra Pradesh; Smt. K Sunitha, IAS, Principal Secretary, Handlooms & Textiles, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Sri. K Vijayanand, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Energy, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Sri. Ravichandra Reddy, Chairman, APTPC, and Smt. Bandi Nagendra Punyaseela Chairperson, APIDC