UAE invites investment opportunities in AP food processing sector
Visakhapatnam, Nov 11 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday invited leading UAE-based companies to explore investment opportunities in the State’s food processing, horticulture, maritime, aerospace and defence sectors.
UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, who is in Visakhapatnam to participate in the CII Partnership Summit, met the Chief Minister and discussed investment opportunities across various sectors.
During the meeting, Naidu highlighted the export potential of agricultural produce from Rayalaseema, particularly fruits, and said the State Government was developing the region as a global horticulture hub with an investment of Rs one lakh crore.
He invited UAE-based agrifood company Silal to participate in the proposed food cluster and urged the UAE Minister to facilitate an early decision on the project.
He said Andhra Pradesh offered significant opportunities in the procurement, processing and export of agricultural and food products.
The proposed establishment of Dubai-based Floormaster industry in Chittoor district also figured in the discussions.
Naidu further highlighted investment opportunities in maritime, aerospace and defence sectors and assured UAE companies of the State Government’s cooperation.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri appreciated the newly constructed Bhogapuram Airport and congratulated the Chief Minister on its development.
He said the UAE was keen to invest along India’s eastern coastline and that Andhra Pradesh could emerge as an important destination for such investments.
The UAE Minister also welcomed the arrival of major global companies and data centre projects, including Google, in Andhra Pradesh, saying these developments reflected the State’s ability to attract large-scale investments.
The UAE delegation expressed interest in importing shrimp and other aquaculture products from Andhra Pradesh.
It also informed the Chief Minister that 12 more UAE-based companies had expressed interest in investing in the proposed food cluster.
Officials and representatives of various UAE-based companies attended the meeting.
TNT KM
