Mekapati invites investments in natural resources in AP

Amaravati: Inviting industrialists to invest in AP, Minister for Industries, Commerce and Information Technology, Mekapati Goutham Reddy said that the government plans to play a vital role in the Centre's goal of creating a five trillion economy by 2025.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day summit on Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs in India, organized in Mumbai on Monday, the minister said AP is willing to play a more participatory role in the development of the national economy.

The state government has more focus on the four-pillars for the implementation of industrial policy; transparency in governance, industrial policy, creating world-class infrastructure and an international workforce of the future.

With its natural deposits and other rich resources, the state has a potential for growth, he said and invited industrialists to come in with investments. The coastal and petrochemical corridors play a key role in the global economy and would contribute to the growth rate of the nation as well.

"We have customized policy for MSMEs which want to invest in the Petroleum, Chemicals, and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR)," he added. The RINL has one of the major operations in the K-G basin of Andhra Pradesh.

In the past 15 years, all the private and public companies have been hugely benefited from the reserves in the state, he said. He assured companies coming to Andhra Pradesh will get all the required assistance and cooperation.

He invited Union Minister Sadananda Gowda to visit the PCPIR region and ensure the investments in the state. On behalf of Andhra Pradesh's government, he assured all the investors of required assistance from time to time. He further requested the central government to advocate to show the benefits of Andhra Pradesh to the MNC companies.

Dr Rajat Bhargava, Principal Secretary, Industries, Infrastructure, Investment and Commerce, gave a powerpoint presentation on Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) of Andhra Pradesh in which he explained about the infrastructure and facilities available in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada zones and opportunities in the region. He asked the Central Government to provide funds to support to develop more infrastructure in PCPIR as it will help in contributing to the 5 trillion economy. He also asked the Central Government to support ZMSME clusters and research hubs.

Besides Rajat Bhargava, State Principal Secretary for Industries, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda, Odisha State Minister of Home, Power, Industries, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Captain Dibya Shankar Mishra, Chief Secretary of Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Raghavendra Rao, Deepak Nitrate P Mehta company chairman Deepak P Mehta, Prabh Das from FICCI Plastic and Petrochemicals Industry Committee, and senior officials of Central Chemicals and Fertilizers Department participated in the summit.