APFPS aims to sign 100 MoUs

Visakhapatnam: Chief Executive Officer, Andhra Prdesh Food Processing Society (APFPS) YS Prasad has said that state government has been giving all the clearances and also allocating lands, if necessary, within 21 days for the entrepreneurs who wish to set up food processing industries in state.

As a prelude to the International Investment seminar planned in February, the AP Food Processing Society organises a seminar in Vizag

The State government has been giving top priority to food processing sector, says APFPS CEO YS Prasad

As a prelude to the proposed International Investment seminar to be organised by CII in city in February, the APFPS, in association with AP Chambers of Commerce  and Industry Federation, organised a seminar on  “Opportunities in the Food Processing Sector” here on Saturday.

Attending the seminar as a chief guest, Prasad has said that the society aims to sign at least 100 MoUs with International and National level entrepreneurs to set up food processing units in the state. The state government has been giving top priority for the food processing sector and also established an exclusive department with Rs 300 crore funds to promote the food processing units, he said. The APFPS has already inked 462 MoUs at various occasions with an expected investment of Rs 12,000 crore. 

Out of the 462 MoUs, 208 units already grounded and another 18 industries are making efforts to launch. The total investments of 208 MoUs are Rs 10,000 crore which indicate the demand to the sector, Prasad explained. The APFPS has appointed Escort Officers to deal with the entrepreneurs who signed MoUs with the government. The Escort Officers would help the entrepreneurs till the unit grounded. 

“Andhra Pradesh is much suitable place to establish food processing units.  The 1,000-km long coast line, five ports, two cargo airports, rail and road network will help to increase the business in future.  Meanwhile, the state government and APFPS is also giving subsidies and also taking responsibilities to ensure bank loans to the institutions.  All the clearances will be given from the Commissioner of Industries desk only,” the APFPS CEO said. 

President of AP Chambers of Commerce and Industries Federation G Sambasiva Rao has said that the government is ready to set up one MSME park in every Assembly constituency to create more employment opportunities to the youth. 

Big companies including Haldirams, Patanjali and Chandana are planning to set up their units. “There is no water and power scarcity in the state. The state government is ready to provide all kinds of assistance. For an entrepreneur AP is the heaven to set up the industries. The entrepreneurs should come forward to catch the opportunities,” Sambasiva Rao said.

Assistant Director, General of Foreign Trade DGFT) Alok Dwivedi, AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation Visakhapatnam Chapter President Pydah Krishna Prasad and General Manager of Industries Department Ramalinga Raju also spoke.