The Andhra Pradesh SIPB approved 11 projects worth Rs.9,076 crore, expected to create 10,531 jobs, as Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu stressed rural industrialisation and ethanol investments.
Amaravati: The 19th State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Tuesday approved 11 investment proposals worth Rs.9,076.11 crore, which are expected to generate 10,531 employment opportunities across Andhra Pradesh.
Reviewing the proposals at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister directed officials to promote industrialisation that creates additional income opportunities for farming families and enables rural youth to become entrepreneurs. He stressed that investments should strengthen the rural economy while supporting sustainable wealth creation.
Highlighting the growing demand for ethanol, Chandrababu Naidu said increasing ethanol blending to 40 percent would provide significant additional income to maize farmers. He instructed officials to actively promote investments in ethanol manufacturing and prepare a comprehensive policy covering ethanol, methane and sustainable aviation fuel.
The Chief Minister reiterated that wealth creation and the circular economy remain central to the government's development strategy and called for large-scale promotion of food processing industries to add value to agricultural produce.
Emphasising tourism as a major economic driver, Chandrababu Naidu proposed establishing 100 Experience Centres across key tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh. He said locations such as Thimmamma Marrimanu, Polavaram, Dindi, Gandikota, Kambham Cheruvu and Lambasingi should be developed into world-class tourism destinations. He also noted that the Jindal Group has expressed interest in setting up a resort near Lambasingi and Araku.
The Chief Minister directed officials to promote Andhra Pradesh's rich handicrafts and cultural heritage, including Etikoppaka toys, Kondapalli toys, Dharmavaram silk, Mangalagiri textiles, Uppada sarees and Ponduru khadi. He also instructed officials to expedite the Suryalanka Master Plan and develop tourism projects such as Kangundi Fort in Kuppam and an Elephant Safari in Chittoor district.
Reviewing hospitality investments, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had 4,390 hotel rooms in 2024, while approvals granted over the past two years would add 9,364 new rooms, taking the total capacity to 13,753 rooms. He congratulated officials for facilitating these investments.
With renewable energy emerging as a major growth sector, the Chief Minister asked officials to attract investments in solar cell manufacturing and position Andhra Pradesh as a national leader in clean energy manufacturing. He also directed departments to accelerate the establishment of the remaining 38 MSME Parks, integrate them with railway terminals to improve logistics and establish a Logistics University along with Skill Development Centres to enhance employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister further instructed officials to encourage all new industries to adopt green energy and expedite the grounding of strategic projects, including BPCL and AMCA, through continuous engagement with investors.
Among the major projects approved were Akshat Greentech Pvt. Ltd.'s solar cell manufacturing unit in Anakapalli with an investment of Rs.1,600 crore, Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd.'s food processing facility at Sri City with Rs.1,801 crore, Adani Foundation's project at Kapuluppada with Rs.2,200 crore, Eco Box Industrials Asset IV Pvt. Ltd. (Google Warehouse Partners) logistics park in Visakhapatnam with Rs.1,008 crore, and Berry Alloys Ltd.'s integrated manufacturing project at Bobbili with Rs.1,200 crore.
Hospitality, logistics, mining, renewable energy, food processing and tourism projects across multiple districts also received approvals during the meeting.
