Australia keen on R&D partnership with AMTZ
Delegation looking at investment opportunities in electrical vehicle manufacture, skill and mining related areas - Mekapati Goutham Reddy, AP Industries Minister
Industries Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy
Visakhapatnam: A government delegation from Australia after visiting Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada has expressed its interest to partner with AP MedTech Zone (AMTZ)in R&D space. AMTZ is India's first comprehensive medical devices park coming up here. Andhra Pradesh Government-promoted AMTZ will provide one-stop solutions to medical device manufacturers by providing all facilities under one roof.
The park is being developed in an area of 270 acres at Nadupur village in Pedagantyada mandal, located very close to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. It offers huge opportunities to manufacturers, R&D units, regulatory facilitation, logistics, testing and exports.
The main purpose of AMTZ is to reduce import substitute devices under the 'Make in India' initiative to the fast growing health and diagnostic sectors. It is envisaged to achieve a turnover of Rs 30,000 crore by bringing leading manufacturers to the zone.
An Australian delegation called on Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office at Tadepalli on Tuesday and stated that they were willing for R&D partnership with AMTZ and establishing a Centre of Excellence in Visakhapatnam. In a tweet, Industries Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy said that he met the Australian delegation and they were interested in promoting trade & investment relations with AP and looking at investment opportunities in electrical vehicle manufacture, skill and mining related areas.
The team consisted of Barry O'Farrell AO, High Commissioner of Australia to India, Sarah Kirlew, Consul General to South India, Jay Sangani, First Secretary (Political) and SvethaVenkatram, Government Relations Manager.
During its meeting with the Chief Minister, it discussed opportunities for building the assets through infrastructure projects such as ports/industrial parks/desalination plants which can then be monetised over the long term. Asset recycling where government assets can be monetised for win-win partnership figured in the discussion.
They showed interest in collaboration with universities in the State, leveraging the collaboration to develop joint R&D programs, joint ventures with University of Curtin to set up university/CoE focussed on mining.
Engaging more to diversify the trade baskets of Andhra Pradesh and Australia, leveraging the proximity and coastal region of AP for enhancing trade in critical minerals.