AP Sees MSME Surge With 47 Cluster Projects, Employment to 66,000
Replying to a question by Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni), the minister said the cluster-based approach has significantly strengthened industrial development in the state while creating large-scale employment opportunities
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh is witnessing accelerated growth in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, with 47 projects approved under the Centre’s Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), Union MSME minister Jitan Ram Manjhi informed the Lok Sabha.
Replying to a question by Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni), the minister said the cluster-based approach has significantly strengthened industrial development in the state while creating large-scale employment opportunities.
Of the total approved projects, 11 are Common Facility Centres (CFCs) and 36 relate to infrastructure development (ID). These initiatives have generated employment for about 66,093 people so far. While CFCs have provided jobs to 8,300 individuals, infrastructure projects have benefited 57,793 people, according to official data.
Several key clusters have already become operational. These include the imitation jewellery cluster in Machilipatnam, gold ornament clusters in Vijayawada and Jaggayyapet, the pulses cluster at Rayavaram, and the printing cluster in Kakinada.
Work is progressing at various stages in six more clusters, including furniture in Rajahmundry, hosiery and ready-made garments in Nellore, printing in Tirupati, and food processing in Srikakulam.
The minister also highlighted infrastructure upgrades across the state. Modernisation of old industrial estates is underway in Vijayawada, Tada and Nandyal, while new estates have been completed in Kopparthi (Kadapa) and Gandrajupalli (Chittoor).
Special emphasis is being laid on promoting women’s entrepreneurship. Under the PM Vishwakarma scheme, 90,207 women have received basic training in Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, 1,56,567 women-led micro enterprises have been supported under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). Over the past five years, 28,388 women have benefited from Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programmes (ESDPs).
The Centre provides grants ranging from 60 to 70 per cent of project costs, which can go up to 80 per cent — between ₹15 crore and ₹30 crore — for women and SC/ST entrepreneurs in aspirational districts such as Vizianagaram.
The minister said the guidelines are periodically revised to address challenges and ensure effective implementation.