VIJAYAWADA: The state government is eyeing a double digit economic growth rate in the state next fiscal and strategies are being chalked out in that direction.
Participating in the online CII conference on ‘Andhra Pradesh as Logistics Nerve Centre’ from Hyderabad, special chief secretary (planning) SP Tucker said economic growth is expected to be around 6.2 lakh crore from the present Rs 5 lakh crore in the state.
He said the construction industry will be a major employment generator with increased demand in housing and manufacturing sectors. “Logistics will be a major growth engine and with its long coast, the state will play an important role in sea trade and commerce. Demand for skilled manpower will increase the demand for higher education sector and part of service sector,” he said.
Stressing the need for joint ventures between Japanese and Indian companies, Tucker said foundation for development of the state as logistic hub has been laid with the announcement of industrial corridor. He said the state government had already studied the health and education cities in Mohali which tops the list in the country in those sectors, he said and revealed that a blueprint based on the study is being prepared to emulate the concept in the state.
In his presidential address, CII-AP president Suresh Rayudu Chitturi explained the salient features of the state and the need for tapping the untapped potential of the state to make it a logistic hub. He explained KGPWG report of CII that highlighted the industrial opportunities in Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari and Prakasam districts.
Navas Meeran, CII southern region chairman and KV Mahdiar, head of CII Institute of Logistics explained the strengths of AP for logistics.
Vijayawada divisional railway manager Ashok Kumar explained about dedicated freight corridor in North India and how such a project in the South along the East Coast can help.
SV Krishna Prasad of Cito Healthcare explained the opportunities for pharma growth in the state, more so in Uttarandhra region. He said already a proposal for setting up regional office of Pharmexcil in Visakhapatnam is under consideration.
CII-AP vice-chairman Ramachandra N Galla spoke about sea trade and need for the development of cargo liners industry. He presented a comparative picture of the Pacific and the Indian Ocean sea trade.
Chitturi Re-elected Chief of CII-AP
Suresh Rayudu Chitturi has been re-elected as chairman of CII - AP at the CII-AP general body meeting here Wednesday. GS Shiva Kumar, CEO of Maple Software Pvt Limited was elected vice-chairman. Suresh heads Srinivasa Hatcheries Limited, a listed company, while Shiva Kumar owns Maple Software that specialises in e-commerce solutions.