Vizag will become a world-class city, say Mizo Guv, AP IT Minister
Conclave sets the tone for next growth trajectory for AP: Visakhapatnam has potential to become business hub on the lines of Shanghai as it has both an intl airport and 2 big ports
image for illustrative purpose
Visakhapatnam: Mizoram Governor K Haribabu and Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT, Commerce and Industry Gudivada Amarnath on Saturday said Visakhapatnam with its strategic location, good rail, road and sea connectivity and picturesque beach and valley locations has the potential to become a world-class city and a prominent hub in IT, industries, tourism and seafood exports.
They were speaking at the valedictory session of two-day Bizz Buzz Business Conclave organised here by The Hans India and Bizz Buzz in association with World Trade Center-Visakhapatnam.
While Amarnath, the first conference he addressed after he took over as a Minister at the age of 36, turned nostalgic, mentioning how he grew in a Mindhi village surrounded by industries and finally inducted into the Ministry by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Dr Haribabu said Visakhapatnam could be developed on the lines of Shanghai as it has both an international airport and two big ports.
Haribabu, who served as MLA and MP from Visakhapatnam, said the city could be developed in pharma, IT, tourism including valley and temple tourism, seafood exports and food processing industries.
The Governor suggested that the State Government should set up AP Agriculture Export Development Agency to tap huge potential in export of rice, maize, sugarcane, organic coffee grown in Araku valley, fruits including Banganapalle and Nuzvid mangoes.
Haribabu said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a target has been set to make India Rs5 trillion economy and the third largest economy in the world in next few years and hoped that Visakhapatnam could contribute a lot to the GDP.
Amarnath said the Chief Minister has the vision to develop industries across the State and attributed the success of Visakhapatnam for emerging as the second largest IT hub in undivided AP due to the initiatives taken by then Chief Minister late YS Rajasekhara Reddy to develop IT infrastructure on sea-facing Rushikonda hills.
Endowed with a coastline of 974-km, minerals and good talent, AP is all set to make rapid strides in the next few years. He said Telugus are in large numbers in the IT arena in the USA and the government has further decided to set up skill development colleges in each parliamentary constituency and a high-end skill university in Visakhapatnam. Rich demographic dividends and availability of good entrepreneurship are plus points to make AP a favourite destination for investors, he declared.
