Andhra Pradesh: Yet another Japanese Industrial Township likely to be set up in the state

The industries and commerce minister Mekapati Gautam Reddy has said that another Japanese industrial township is being set up in Andhra Pradesh. He participated in the Japan Partnership Conference hosted by DPIIT, CII. Union DPIIT Secretary Guru Prasad Mohapatara, State Industries Special Chief Secretary Karikala Valavan, APIIC Vice Chairman Raveen, ED Pratap Reddy, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Vice Minister Sun Shigehiro Tanaka were present on the occasion via video conference. External Trade Organization JETRO CII Vice Chairman Vikram Kirloskar, Ambassador of India in Japan Sanjay K Verma, CII representatives and industrialists were participated.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Gautam Reddy said that Andhra Pradesh has always had good relations with Japan. He said a Japan enclave would be set up in 10 lakh square feet in Visakhapatnam. He said special concessions would be given to Japanese companies investing in the state from China. He said the 'Japan desk' was set up specifically to attract investment. He said the AP already has reputed industries like ATC Tires and Yokohoma Group and reminded that the training centre was set up to provide employment and training to 2,000 youth in the manufacture of vehicle tires alone.

The Japanese Industrial Township is located on a large scale in Shreveport. He said another Japanese industrial township has been proposed as part of the development of the Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC). He said more than 25 Japanese companies have already invested in the state. "The Center has decided to develop the East Coast Economic Corridor in three phases for the industrial development of the 2,500 km east coast from Kolkata to Kanyakumari, with the first phase being the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Corridor," he said.

He said Krishnapatnam-based National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NIICDIT), in partnership with the Japan International Co-operation Agency, has allocated Rs 1,300 crore for the development of the Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor (CBIC). He emphasised on several key reforms, including Atma Nirbhar, introduced during covid-19 to support industries.

He said Japan's role in the industrial growth of Andhra Pradesh was crucial and Japan had strong ties with the state. Minister Gautam Reddy said that the year-and-a-half government led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has become more affiliated.