Amaravati: NITI Aayog promises support to AP in skill development

Amaravati: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Friday promised support for Andhra Pradesh in the advancement of emerging technologies, development of Visakhapatnam-Chennai Coastal Corridor and also leverage state's efforts in skill development initiatives.

IT and industries minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy met the Niti Aayog CEO at the Auto Component Show 2020 in New Delhi, where the minister inaugurated the AP pavilion.

Goutham Reddy said AP was driving India's automobile electric vehicles (EV) transformation. He test drove an EV scooter (made in Andhra Pradesh) on the occasion. He said that he was looking forward to seeing it on the roads soon. Force Motors Ltd., leaders in commercial pickup vans, ambulances and intercity road, carriers explained their strategy for skill development in rural youth. Emerging auto clusters near Anantapur and Chittoor are their preferred places for expansion, said the minister through his tweets after interacting with the company representatives.

"Our relation with KIA is intact as before - met Sun Wook Hwang, GM-Marketing at@autoexpowhere both sides have reassured that AP is where KIA stays. Our business association with@KiaMotorsINis only to progress much more," (sic), the minister tweeted.

He added that he met the pioneers in Indian auto industry, TATA and pitched the state for their future auto investments.

The minister discussed the inventions of the Mahindra Autoautomobile company in recent times. He said that they have good presence in agri automobiles( tractors) and are a boon to the farming industry.

Goutham Reddy said that he met Great Wall Motors Company directors and explained the advantages of setting up a car manufacturing plant in AP.

As part of the discussion, the minister interacted with Renault India Automobile CEO and came to know about their foray into the electric vehicles arena. They showed keen interest in partnering in skill development programs in AP, he added.