By Staff Correspondent
Being the landing field for billions of investment opportunities, Andhra Pradesh is emerging in the Aerospace, Defence & Allied sectors and is already home to the Eastern Naval Command and Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota, the Spaceport of India, which is one of the lead Centres of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, India has achieved remarkable progress across economic and social development metrics. His vision to make India “Atmanirbhar” pivoted to drive the economy ahead, towards realising self-reliance, fulfilment and sustainability and is standing as a cornerstone to every state’s defence policy.
With the Ministry of Defence releasing the third positive indigenisation list of defence equipment, Government of Andhra Pradesh is responding to the needs of the manufacturing sector by (a) building policies to make the state a manufacturing hub to Aerospace and Defence and (b) creating an industry eco-system supporting future generation solutions.
Key DPSUs -Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL); Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL); National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), an autonomous research laboratory involved in carrying out applied research in Atmospheric and Space Sciences and Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR) have had a long history of operations in Andhra Pradesh.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is committed to the all-round growth and development of the State with a focused approach to attract industries to the state.
The State is witnessing a sustained interest from global and domestic investors. In an effort to attract investments, Government has taken a slew of initiatives, which resulted in robust investment inflow for the past 3 years:
Projects Poised For Take-Off In Aerospace & Defence
- National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) at Gadanki.
- Stumpp Schuele Castings Pvt. Ltd (SSC)s upcoming Ammunitions manufacturing unit in Chenna Kotha Palli, Anantapur.
- BEL’s Defence Systems Integration Complex for Weapons and Radars at Palasamudram, Gorantla (M), Sathya Sai District.
- Grob Machine Tools – a world-class machine tools manufacturing plant in Gudipalli, Sathya Sai District.
- Greenfield Aerotropolis at Bhogapuram with a state-of-the-art MRO facility and an Air Cargo Complex.
- BEL’s New Generation Electro-optics & advanced night vision cameras at Machilipatnam.
- DRDO’s Long Range Missile Testing Centre in Nagayalanka.
- Advantage Andhra Pradesh – From Runways to Airways.
Today, on the back of solid structural reforms and macro-economic stability, Andhra Pradesh’s growth story has begun with remarkable progress with proposed DRDO Electronic Warfare Test Range including a design, development, production and assembly unit in Orvakal, Kurnool District.
The state has 7 operational Airports viz., Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati with International status and Rajahmundry, Kurnool, Kadapa catering to domestic travel and Putaparthi being a private Airport.
Andhra Pradesh is now working on developing Airports in a hub-and-spoke model in which the Bhogapuram International Airport will act as a hub while the smaller airports will enhance intra-state connectivity. The capacity of this Airport is 6 MPPA, 18 aircraft and 7 Aerobridges in 1st Phase shall be enhanced up to 30 MPPA, 88 aircraft stands with 31 Aerobridges by end of Concession Period. Land available for MRO Facility in 25 Acres, Aviation Academy & Citywide Development- 154.74 Acres along Residential Development – 139.16 Acres.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh is very keen in developing regional aviation and developing accordingly. The first state owned Airport was operational in Kurnool last year and is 100% owned by Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Ltd. (APADCL) which also has land of 400 acres in a position adjacent to the Airport for developing aviation allied activities and one more upcoming domestic airport namely Dagadarthi (Nellore) to cater the growing cargo demand of the region. Study for development of small Airports & Heliports in every district that enhances intra & Interstate connectivity is taken up & the sites have been chosen based on business/tourism potential.
A Flying Training Organization/hub has been proposed to be set up at Kurnool Airport in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh, covering employment and activity within the aviation industry including airline, flight training, maintenance, air traffic control, regulation and activities directly serving both employees and customers such as retail, catering facilities, taxi service, house rentals, shopping to name a few.
Also, in line with vision of Govt of India to develop India as hub for MRO, the state has identified and earmarked land to develop engine, body, line MRO facilities and various Aviation allied activities at the existing Airport of Tirupati, Kurnool, Bhogapuram etc. and is in the process of identifying more locations.
Government of Andhra Pradesh is very much looking forward to collaborate with private players in boosting the Aviation ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh in terms of infrastructure as well as Airline connectivity.
Ease Of Doing Business
- Andhra Pradesh stood first in India with 97.89% for Ease of Doing Business in Business Reforms Action Plan 2020-21, a survey which is considered to be 100% perception based.
- The state ranked No #1 from the past 4 editions in BRAP rankings.
- Government of Andhra Pradesh, as a part of EODB State Reform Action Plan 2020-21 has introduced reforms 301 industry related reforms during October 2020 – Jan 2021 to improve their accessibility and service delivery efficiency.
Export Scenario
The State exported goods worth USD 16.9 billion in the FY 2020-21 with a growth of 14% over previous year, improving its ranking from 7th in 2019 -20 to Rank No# 4th in 2020 -21. The export during 2021 -22 (up to Nov 21), stands at 22.88 billion, recording a growth rate of 36% over the previous year.
- Andhra Pradesh also ranked 1st in Marine Exports in the country in 2020-21.
- Prepared District action plans with quantifiable targets, to promote District as “Export Hub” in line with Government of India policy.
- Dedicated Export Facilitation Cell is also established in APTPC to hand hold the entrepreneurs at District level.
Infrastructure Highlights Of Andhra Pradesh
The tri-city growth corridor covering Chennai-Tirupati-Nellore figures in one of the Top 10 places manufacturing destinations in India, attracting domestic and international investors alike, by Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency.
Multi-Modal Logistics Hubs
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on October 2017 had approved Phase-I of Bharatmala and mandated MoRT&H to develop 35 Multi Model Logistics Parks (MMLP) across the country under Bharatmala Pariyojana Scheme, Visakhapatnam and Anantapuramu are two potential parks among them.
Government of Andhra Pradesh exchanged an MoU with National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister and Nitin Jayaram Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping for development of Multi Model Logistic Parks at Visakhapatnam and Anantapur with the support of Government of India, to capitalize on such opportunities and position Andhra Pradesh as a hub of logistics in South East India.
Andhra Pradesh has the distinction of the only state in India to have 3 industrial corridors, the Visakhapatnam – Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC), Chennai – Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC), Hyderabad – Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC).
Only state with abundance of land bank (48,352 Acres) for industrial development, with ‘Industrial Zoning’ as the key focus area to provide a ‘risk-free’ investment-friendly environment.
For Andhra Pradesh, the path we choose is not just the key to the transformation of a state or a nation, but for the global transformation. Andhra Pradesh has best placed its measures and policies rightly aligned with the vision – ‘People, Progress & Possibilities’, ensuring that ‘no one is left behind’.
The state of Andhra Pradesh believes in translating sustainable development goals into realistic, sound policy initiatives which would in-turn help in building a robust, impactful people-friendly and environmental-friendly eco-system. Sharing power with all the stakeholders, GoAP’s objective is to combat climate change and attain climate neutrality with a people and an investor inclusive approach.
R Karikal Valaven IAS, Spl Chief Secretary Department of Industries & Infrastructure, Investments & Commerce.
Mail Id: Prlsecy_inds@ap.gov.in & prlsecy_ii@ap.gov.in
