Global companies evince interest to invest in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: Delegates of several corporate groups met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his tour in Singapore on Sunday and expressed interest to invest in Andhra Pradesh.

Fortescue Metals Group South Asia chief Gowtham Varma, representatives of SMH Rail Corporation, Eli Haza company of Israel and German agriculture company are among those who met the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held discussions with agri-business expert team of Germany to upgrade technology in agriculture sector in the State. It may be noted that the AP Economic Development Board entered into an MoU with Germany team led by chief customer solution officer Aylwin Tan.

The meeting concentrated on 10 agricultural products and exports. The Chief Minister said the agricultural sector in the State was marching ahead with 34 per cent growth rate. He stressed the need for further strengthening the agricultural sector with more value addition. The meeting decided to concentrate on maize, shrimp, tomato, paddy, chillies and food processing units.

The Chief Minister said the State government has been giving top priority for advancement of primary agricultural sector and he has been conducting teleconference every week for agricultural growth. Singapore Senior Ambassador Gopinath Pillai met the Chief Minister.

The Ambassador pointed out that both the countries were conducting review meetings once in every three months to attract investments in agricultural sector.

He said that farmers of AP would derive benefit if the agricultural sector and agri-based business witness growth. He said steps should be taken to increase cold chains, food processing units and agri-based companies.

The Chief Minister informed the Singapore ambassador that AP stands ahead in agricultural growth in the country. Australian Company Fortescue Metals Group expressed interest to set up Lithium Ion battery manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh. Fortescue’s representative Gowtham Varma met the Chief Minister and requested to allot land for setting up lithium battery manufacturing plant.

Singapore’s Royal Holdings expressed interest to invest in housing and health resort sectors. Israel company Eli Hajaj told the Chief Minister that they were interested to set up aero hub in Andhra Pradesh if the government provides land to set up industry.

The representatives of SMH Rail Corporation said they were interested to set up a locomotive unit in AP. The Chief Minister visited Dassualt Third Experience Lab. He said the State government would utilise the services of Dassualt to implement technology to control temperatures in Amaravati.