The 20th SIPB approved 25 projects worth Rs.2.08 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh, expected to create 21,627 direct jobs. CM Chandrababu Naidu also pushed for rural industrialisation.
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh is set for another major investment push with the 20th State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) approving investment proposals worth Rs.2,08,406 crore across 25 projects, with the potential to generate 21,627 direct jobs.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, focused on accelerating industrialisation, attracting investments in emerging sectors and ensuring that the benefits of industrial growth reach rural areas.
Naidu directed officials to prepare plans to establish more industrial projects in rural areas, stressing that industrialisation should contribute to balanced regional development.
He also directed officials to accelerate the implementation of investment agreements signed during the past year and projects already approved by the SIPB.
The Chief Minister set a target of completing the remaining 37 MSME parks by September, which would make industrial parks available across all 175 Assembly constituencies.
He also called for the large-scale implementation of the One Family–One Entrepreneur programme.
Naidu asked officials to actively attract investments in emerging sectors such as green ammonia, lithium batteries and robotics.
He directed the departments concerned to study the policy interventions and infrastructure requirements needed to encourage investments in these sectors.
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of creating awareness among people about industrial projects coming up across the State.
He alleged that misinformation was being circulated on social media portraying industries as polluting units and creating apprehension among the public.
The Chief Minister specifically reviewed concerns surrounding data centres being established in North Andhra.
He said the proposed data centres would require only around 3.5 TMC of water and directed officials to counter misconceptions with factual information.
Naidu also said adequate water would be supplied to industries in Visakhapatnam through gravity flow from the Polavaram Left Canal.
He called for continuous monitoring of industrial development and directed officials to assess the economic value and wider contribution that new industries would bring to Andhra Pradesh's industrial ecosystem.
The Chief Minister described defence sector investments coming to Andhra Pradesh as a matter of national pride.
He directed officials to facilitate defence projects near Puttaparthi and aerospace projects near Hindupur.
He also directed officials to complete construction of Moolapeta Port by December, with plans to inaugurate the facility during the same month.
Naidu stressed the need to integrate ports with logistics, modern warehousing and cold-chain infrastructure.
He said better road, rail and port connectivity was essential to enable horticultural produce from Rayalaseema to reach international markets efficiently.
The Chief Minister also called for distinctive architectural designs for hotels and hospitality projects coming up across the State.
He said hospitality infrastructure should have designs capable of attracting tourists while reflecting the character and identity of Andhra Pradesh.
The 25 projects approved at the 20th SIPB meeting span sectors including renewable energy, green fuels, data centres, lithium batteries, electronics, hospitality, logistics, steel, agro-processing and infrastructure.
Among the major proposals are:
Other approved projects include investments by Okair Green Fuels, FPEL Ravved Power, Aradhya Biogas, Ushodaya Biogas, CRR Hospitality, RK 2 Infrastructure, Sunrise Hotels, JSP Hotels & Resorts, Pavuluri Hotels, Estrela Logistics, Ganesh Sai Mounisha Steel Wires and Jayaditya Agro.
Naidu directed officials to begin crediting industrial incentives into escrow accounts from December.
He said incentives were necessary to attract and promote investments but stressed that the government should assess the level of incentives that could realistically be provided while maintaining financial discipline.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that projects approved by the SIPB and investment agreements signed by companies move rapidly from approval to implementation.
He called for regular monitoring of project progress and removal of bottlenecks affecting industrial investments.
The government, he said, should focus not only on announcing investments but also on ensuring that projects are grounded on time and generate employment and economic activity.
With the latest SIPB approvals, the State Government is seeking to strengthen Andhra Pradesh's position as an investment destination while spreading industrial activity beyond major urban centres.
