VIJAYAWADA: Industries minister Mekapati Gowtham Reddy said it is the vision of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to see Andhra Pradesh leap to the top slot in industrial growth by 2030 and contributing 10 per cent of national exports.
Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, the minister said that though there was a slump the world over, Andhra Pradesh carried out welfare and development works in a balanced manner. The government gave thrust to infrastructure, industries and commerce, IT, skill development and YSR AP One.
Gowtham Reddy said the state registered a growth rate of 1.58 per cent even during the Covid times due to the foresight of the Chief Minister. The government is specially focusing on protecting lives and livelihoods of various sections of society. Towards this end, it grounded several welfare schemes such as YSR Cheyutha, Aasara, zero-interest loans, MSME packages, women empowerment. Andhra Pradesh is the only state that has come up with welfare calendar, rolling out schemes on time and implementing every promise listed under the Navaratnalu.
The Minister said that after the government was formed, between June 2019 and May 2021, as many as 65 mega and large industries set shop in the state with an investment of Rs 29,780.86 crore, providing employment to 45,049 people. Similarly, in the MSME segment, 13,885 units were set up with an investment of '4,220.71 crore, employing 88,516 people. At present, there are 62 projects under implementation with a total investment of Rs 36,384.29 crore with a potential to create employment to 76,916 people. Also, in the offing are five public sector units with an investment of Rs 96,400 crore with a potential to create employment for 79,700 people.
Further, the minister said that investments to the tune of Rs 1,032 crore have been achieved in this financial year, where projects worth Rs 18,000 crore are in progress. He stated that Andhra Pradesh was ranked first in the Ease of Doing Business in 2020 by DPIIT, GOI and World Bank. Also, the state was conferred the ‘Best State in Skill Development’ award by ASSOCHAM. Similarly, APSSDC was accredited with ISO:9001:2015 due to quality parameters in implementing skill development programmes and it also received the Genius Booking of World Records for the progress achieved through virtual skilling during the Covid19 pandemic.
Soon, 30 skill development colleges would be established across the state to enhance employment of the youth.
The Minister said that on the infrastructure front, ports, fishing harbours, YSR Steel Corporation Limited, AP Airports Development Corporation, Corridor Development and Concept Cities are the mainstay. For the development industries and commerce, the government would frame policies an d business reform action plans, and take up handlooms and allied sectors development.
Gowtham Reddy said a special focus was being laid on the construction of Ramayapatnam, Bhavanapadu and Machilipatnam ports along with the construction of four fishing harbours which began in July, while establishment of four more harbours is in process. Stating that building infrastructure is a top priority for the government, the minister said that Kurnool airport is already in operation and steps are being taken to complete the construction of Bhogapuram airport as soon as possible.
