AP govt mulls setting up aerospace, aviation hubs in state

Hyderabad: In a bid to attract investments into the aerospace, defence and aviation sectors, the Andhra Pradesh Government on Thursday said it is mulling to set up related industrial hubs in the state. According to a statement issued by the state government, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday met CEOs of 11 prominent companies from the sectors after the Aero India 2015 show in Bangalore.

The Chief Minister had one-on-one meetings with executives from aerospace companies such as Russia's Sukhoi Sikorsky and UTC, Rafael and Boeing International Corporation India Pvt Ltd, Raytheon International Inc, Bell Helicopter India, Honeywell India, GE Aviation, delegates from the American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM - India) and the US-India Business Council, the press statement said.

"He (Naidu) elaborated the state government's plans to establish defence and aerospace hubs in Chittoor, Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool and Prakasam districts," it said.

Later, the chief minister made a powerpoint presentation to 175 CEOs and industrialists explaining the opportunities for aviation and defence players in the state. The state government had already reduced the tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel from 16 per cent to one per cent.

"We are also promoting Greenfield and brownfield airports and giving full support to allied sectors like MRO, cargo, general aviation and training," he added.

Explaining that Andhra Pradesh will develop cargo and MRO infrastructure as a priority, the Chief Minister said that the state is focusing on developing cargo infrastructure at new airports and improving connectivity between ports, airports and logistics hubs as well. After his presentation, many CEOs have expressed their willingness to partner with Andhra Pradesh and are keen to invest in setting up manufacturing units in the state, the release said.