Hans News Service
Visakhapatnam
Elaboratingon the vast investment opportunities available in Andhra Pradesh and the State’s potential in food processing sector, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu invited several industrialists and company representatives from Dubai and UAE to invest in AP, particularly in food processing.
UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, who arrived in Visakhapatnam to participate in CII Partnership Summit, met Chief Minister Naidu on the eve of CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam.
During meeting, the CM explained that the State is developing Rayalaseema into a global horticulture hub with an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore. He called upon Silal, a leading UAE-based agri food company, to participate in the food cluster proposed to be established by the UAE.
Chandrababu Naidu highlighted that Andhra Pradesh offers immense opportunities for investment in agriculture, procurement of agricultural and food products, processing and exports.
The proposed grounding of Dubai-based Floormaster Industries in Chittoor district also came up for discussion.
The CM urged the UAE Minister to facilitate an early decision on the proposed food cluster. The CM also encouraged UAE companies to explore investment opportunities in various sectors, including maritime, aerospace and defence. He assured that Andhra Pradesh is ready to work closely with the UAE to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri responded that the UAE is keen to invest along India’s eastern coast and that Andhra Pradesh would emerge as a key destination for investments from his country.
The UAE delegation also evinced interest in importing shrimp and other aquaculture products from Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Naidu was further informed that another 12 UAE-based companies were keen to invest in the proposed food cluster in the State.
In a separate meeting with Japanese Ambassador Keiichi Ono, Chief Minister Naidu explored cooperation in skill development, critical minerals, steel and green energy. Japanese representatives offered to support industry-oriented training for Andhra Pradesh’s youth and sought cooperation in securing rare earth mineral supplies and uninterrupted imports of semi-finished steel for processing at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India plant.
The CM also met World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Daren Tang to strengthen the State’s innovation ecosystem. Discussions covered intellectual property protection, Geographical Indication (GI) recognition for local products, grassroots entrepreneurship and positioning Amaravati and Visakhapatnam as leading global science and technology clusters.