Centre Clears 2 MSME Extension Centres For AP

Vijayawada: In a major fillip to Andhra Pradesh’s industrial growth and entrepreneurship drive, the Centre has approved the establishment of two new MSME extension centres at Anantapur and Vizianagaram.

The approval, granted by the Union ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises on December 16, is expected to significantly strengthen the state’s MSME ecosystem and generate more employment at the grassroots level.

This is in line with the government’s flagship programme, One Family – One Entrepreneur, aimed at encouraging enterprise creation across urban and rural Andhra Pradesh.

MSME minister Kondapalli Srinivas had earlier forwarded a detailed proposal to the Central ministry, seeking the establishment of these extension centres to provide institutional and technological support to budding entrepreneurs.

Srinivas said the extension centres would act as a force multiplier for MSME development in the state. “These centres will offer end-to-end support, including technology assistance, skilling, incubation and consultancy services. They will promote the creation of new enterprises, enhance productivity and generate local employment,” he said.

The initiative, he stressed, aligns with the long-term vision of Swarna Andhra @2047.

Welcoming the decision, state MSME development corporation chairman Tammireddy Sivasankara Rao said the centres would help bridge the technology gap faced by micro enterprises, particularly in Rayalaseema and north coastal Andhra.

“This is a major opportunity for local MSMEs to upgrade their capabilities and compete at the global level,” he said.

Secretary to government for industries and commerce N. Yuvaraj said integrating high-end skilling and technology access would create a conducive ecosystem supporting both traditional industries and modern enterprises.

The new centres would function under the mentorship of the MSME technology centre, Visakhapatnam, and provide high-end skilling in CAD/CAM, simulators and virtual classrooms, besides common access to advanced machinery.

CEO of APMSMEDC, Vishwa M, said the projects would commence shortly and be executed in consultation with nodal agency IRCON international.