CM moots setting up of Logistics and Civil Aviation universities
CM advice shipping industry giants to form advisory body to develop AP as Global Logistics hub
Logistics sector play key role development of economy:CM
VISAKHAPATNAM: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Andhra Pradesh will be developed as Gate way of East coast soon with best logistics hub to meet global standards. He announced establishing a logistics university and civil aviation university in AP soon. The Chief Minister advised the experts of port-led shipping industries to form an advisory body with 20 members to offer suggestions to the state government to develop AP as Logistics hub of East Coast.
Participating as chief guest of East Coast and Logistics summit organised jointly by Global Forum for Sustainable Transformation (GFST) and Maritime Gateway here today, the Chief Minister said that Logistics sector play key role in increasing our economy and for providing employment. He said the contribution of logistics sector to GSDP stands at one per cent at present and stressed the need for increasing it to 3 per cent. He said with added advantages Andhra Pradesh is best place for port cargo exports with existing 6 ports and four more ports are coming. He said that the state government determined to develop ports or fishing harbours at every 50 km along the 1050 km coastline in AP. He said AP stands in second place in sea cargo transport and neighbouring states including Telangana, Maharashtra, Orissa and Chattisgarh and some parts of Karnataka also depnding on AP ports for sea cargo transport.
The Chief Minister said the state government planning to develop ship building, ship and container repairing and ship recycling units in Dugarajupatnam, Machilipatnam and other ports including providing facilities for maintainance of Defence vessels. He stressed the need for cerating digital logistics platform and cargo tracking facilities and develop rail, road and air connectivity for all the major ports.
The Chief Minister said the future is for logistics and we need to opt for next Gen reforms to develop logistics sector to meet the demand of both local and global markets. Citing the examples of Dubai and Singapore, the Chief Minister opined that ports should be well connected with industrial units to reduce logistics cost. He stressed the need for reducing logistics cost which stands at 13 per cent in India while the logistics cost in other countries stands at 8 per cent.
The Chief Minister said that the state governemnt is also planning to develop inland water transport to reduce logistics cost. Citing the example of Buckinghalm canal used for transport between Kakinada and Chennai, the Chief Minister stressed the need for reviving inland water ways.
Referring to the suggestions of CEOs of shipping industry, the Chief Minister said the state government will discuss with Government of India to resolve some of the issues. The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh is only state providing water security and making efforts for intra-linking of rivers. He said Visakhapatnam which is safest place for women in the country will emerge as major technology hub of the country soon with establishing a data centre. He said the state government has been giving top priority for skill development to meet the future requirement of industries.
Earlier the Chief Minister participated in round table conference of CEOs of shipping industry and Logistics sector. Later he released two books and launched Air Cargo Forum of India AP Chapter.
Ministers BC Janardhana Reddy, Dola Balaveeranjaneya Swamy, Kondapalli Srinivas, GFST vice chairman and director SP Tucker and officials were present. Ramprasad Ravi of Maritime Gateway welcomed the gathering.
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