Industry, Trade and Information Technology Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy said Tuesday the government aims to be at the forefront of industrial growth and contribute 10% of national exports by 2030.
In a progress report on the industrial sector over the past two years, the minister said that despite a global slump due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state is balancing the act of implementing welfare and development activities by focusing on infrastructure, industry and trade, information technology and skills development.
Even during the pandemic, the state saw a 1.58% growth rate due to Prime Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s foresight, he said, adding that the focus was on protecting the lives and livelihoods of different parts of society, welfare systems like YSR Cheyutha , Aasara, interest-free loans, MSME packages and financial support for women in empowering them in the industrial sector have been effectively implemented.
Thrust areas
The minister said if ports, fishing ports, projects like YSR Steel Corporation Limited, AP Airports Development Corporation, corridor development and concept cities are the mainstay in infrastructure, politics, restart, business reform action plan, hand loom and allied field development work in industry and commerce would be included.
The focus was on the construction of the ports of Ramayapatnam, Bhavanapadu and Machilipatnam as well as four fishing ports, which began in July. The establishment of four more ports was in progress. “Building the infrastructure is a top priority,” he said, pointing out that Kurnool Airport is already operational and that steps are being taken to complete the construction of Bhogapuram Airport at the earliest.
He said that 65 mega and large industries were created in the state with an investment of 29,780.86 billion yen, which created 45,049 jobs after the YSRCP came to power. Similarly, 13,885 MSME units were established with an investment of 4,220.71 billion yen and employed 88,516 people. In addition, 62 projects with a total investment of 36,384.29 billion yen with a potential to create jobs for 76,916 people and five public sector units with an investment of 96,400 billion yen and a potential to create jobs for 79,700 people were carried out, he said.
The minister said the state has invested 1,032 billion yen in the current fiscal year and projects worth 18,000 billion yen are underway. Andhra Pradesh took first place at the national level in 2020 in the “Ease of Doing Business” category, and the state was also named “Best State in Skill Development” by ASSOCHAM.
Skill development
Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) has been ISO: 9001: 2015 accredited to recognize the quality parameters it has adopted in implementing skill development programs. It was also recognized by the Guinness Book of Records for the advances made through virtual skills during the pandemic.
Mr. Reddy said that 30 vocational schools would soon be set up across the state and that the majority of the letters of intent signed by the Jagan government would be a reality.