EXIM Community of Andhra Pradesh Pins Hope on Centre for Growth

Source: http://www.portwings.in/articlesinterviews/exim-community-of-andhra-pradesh-pins-hope-on-centre-for-growth/

Port Wings News Network:

After the bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh State now forced to start from scratch and since the coastal state in East has immense potential to become a maritime hub in future, we expect the Union Government to support development of maritime infrastructure here, Mr. G. Sambasiva Rao, Vice President of Andhra Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (Andhra Chamber) and the Managing Director of Sravan Shipping Group has said.

In an exclusive interview to Port Wings after taking over the VP post in Andhra Chamber, Mr Sambasiva Rao, a well-known face among the EXIM fraternity in Andhra Pradesh, said, “After the bifurcation, most of the areas where infrastructure were fully developed,  are now in the Telangana State. The onus is on us, the EXIM fraternity, to ensure that the districts in the Andhra Pradesh get due attention by the state as well as Union governments in coming months.”

Excerpts…

Q. What is the role of Andhra Chamber in ensuring growth in the state?

Mr G Sambasiva Rao: The Andhra Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (Andhra Chamber) established in 2000 as a chamber of commerce presently representing the whole state of Andhra Pradesh. It is strategically located at Vijayawada, the center of the New Andhra state the proposed State capital and hub of the state’s economic and political spectrum. The chamber has a three tier membership, representing industry, trade and service.

Q. Though you are wearing several hats, how do you feel about the new role?

GSR: I feel very privileged to be part of the Chamber that is going to make the Andhra State government to act swiftly. The Andhra Chamber has relentlessly pursued the agenda of identifying business opportunities & challenges, addressing critical issues with the single minded focus of sustainable growth in the region. The chamber has been instrumental in influencing policy frameworks and changes. It played an advocacy role on a wide range of matters and acting as impetus to growth and developmental matters. The chamber is frequently organizing interactive meetings with ministers, senior bureaucrats to express and drive home its views. The chamber provided a platform for interaction to expand business and address issues affecting growth of business in the State.

Q. How the EXIM trade from Vizag region is growing?

GSR: Though the whole AP region suffered a lot during Hudhud Cyclone last year, container freight stations and other allied facilities related to exim sector came out from the losses and recorded a modest growth between 10 and 15 % year-on-year basis.

Q. What is your expectation from new Andhra Government?

GSR: Though the Chamber is representing State and Central Governments on issues affecting the commerce and industry regularly, our expectation from the new state government is that they should identify the potential development areas in the state and act according to keep up the growth momentum, which had gone missing after the bifurcation. Moreover, we feel it is our job to help the Chief Minister Naidu in identifying those core areas, which would bring more revenue to the state.

Q. What is your expectation from new Union Government?

GSR:  Since the Andhra Pradesh is blessed with good coastline, the state government in coordination with the Union Government could develop more ports. Our Chief Minister Mr Naidu had already rolled out his plans to develop many smaller ports along the coast.

Besides, we expect that the Centre could come out with more details about Duggarajapatnam Major Port, being planned by the Ministry of Shipping in the state in the Budget. We expect excellent support from the Union Government in turning the Vizag region, where the ambitious “Smart City” Project is set to begin, in to a major maritime hub in the East Coast.