Andhra signs MoU with Emirates Group

The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday signed a MoU with the Emirates Group which is expected to bring in investment of Rs 30,000 crore to the state, officials said.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board and the international aviation holding company during Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's visit to Dubai.

The MoU also included a discussion on setting up a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO), an aviation training centre and a manufacturing unit of in-flight consumables, said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office here.

The Emirates Group expressed keen interest in operating in Amaravati and other parts of Andhra Pradesh, once regulations are relaxed by the Indian government.

The number of seats from India in a flight are limited by the agreement with the Union government and needs to be revised, the statement quotes Emirates officials as saying.

Naidu called on Emirates Group CEO and Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and recalled that as the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh he was instrumental in the expansion of Emirates Airlines in India, and in starting the first Emirates flight from Hyderabad.

He invited Sheikh Ahmed to visit Amaravati and explore possibilities of building and operating airports and start a joint venture in aviation with the state government. Sheikh Ahmed responded positively.

As a part of his day-long tour, Naidu met officials from the Phoenix Group, a global agrifood and resource enterprise.

The Chief Minister explained the innovative methods that are being adopted in Andhra Pradesh in the field of agriculture. He was told by the officials that they will start the rice mill and food processing plant works as proposed earlier in April.

He also asked the Phoenix group officials to explore locations for peanut farming and manufacturing of peanut butter in Anantapur.

Naidu also met Sharafuddin Mohammad Hussain, Vice Chairman of the Sharaff Group. The company officials have already visited Andhra Pradesh to explore opportunities and they have seen some land parcels for a Food Processing Zone.

Addressing the officials' concern over land prices and the Union Government's policies over food processing, the Chief Minister asked the Sharaff Group officials to meet the departments concerned and assured them that all clearances will be given at the earliest.

He urged officials of DP world, which operates 78 marine and inland terminals in 40 countries, to set up a Special Economic Zone in the state. The group provides maritime services, logistics and ancillary services.

--IANS

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