Lokesh Invites Trafigura to Invest in Port-Based Infra in Andhra Pradesh

Oct 07, 2025 | 537 Views

Mumbai: Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT, Electronics, and Education Nara Lokesh met Sachin Gupta, CEO of Trafigura India, a global leader in logistics, oil, minerals, and food exports. During the meeting, Lokesh urged Trafigura to explore investment opportunities in port-based infrastructure, cold storage, and export facilities across Andhra Pradesh. Trafigura, which recorded $243.2 billion in business operations in FY 2024–25, had earlier signed a $1.4 billion LNG supply deal with Indian Oil Corporation in April. The company already exports coal, zinc, and aluminum through the Visakhapatnam Port and operates in multiple sectors including oil, petroleum transport, metals, minerals, gas, renewable energy, and logistics. Highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s strong export potential, Lokesh noted that the state contributes 70% of India’s shrimp production and is a leading rice producer. He invited Trafigura to set up modern warehousing facilities at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada ports, participate in the renewable energy trade, and consider establishing an LNG regasification terminal to support gas-based power generation. With 82.62 million tonnes of cargo handled by Visakhapatnam Port this year, Lokesh also proposed the creation of a commodity trading desk in Vizag to boost the region’s logistics and export ecosystem.

AP Extends Deadline for Kharif e-Crop Survey Registration Until October End

Oct 04, 2025 | 556 Views

Amaravati, October 2025: The Agriculture Department of Andhra Pradesh has announced an extension for the registration of land and crop details under the Kharif e-Crop Digital Survey 2025. Originally set to close earlier, the last date for recording crop cultivation data has now been extended to October 25, 2025, while social verification and corrections can be made until October 30, 2025. The final lists will be displayed on notice boards by October 31, 2025. According to Sri Dilli Rao, IAS, State Agricultural Director, progress in the e-Crop survey has been affected by specific field challenges. Of the 290 lakh land parcels statewide, only 36% (88 lakh parcels) have been recorded so far. Delays were primarily due to new field staff unfamiliar with survey numbers, concurrent responsibilities such as seed and fertilizer distribution, and heavy rainfall affecting field operations. Districts like Krishna, East Godavari, and Kakinada reported better coverage above 50%, while YSR, Chittoor, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, and Alluri Sitaramaraju districts showed less than 22% coverage. The department emphasized that all crop and non-cultivated fallow land data must be completed by the end of October. District Agricultural and Horticultural officers have been instructed to ensure active participation of Village Revenue Officers (VROs), proper supervision of farmer service center staff, and daily monitoring of survey progress. The e-Crop database will serve as a centralized platform for farmers’ land and crop data, supporting welfare programs and development schemes across the state. The Agriculture Department further advised allocation of additional staff, coordinated inter-departmental supervision, and continuous monitoring to ensure complete and high-quality data collection within the revised timeline. Farmers and officials are urged to cooperate fully to achieve 100% coverage for the Kharif 2025 season.

AP Ministers Promote Investments in Seoul, Invite Firms to Visakhapatnam Summit

Sep 30, 2025 | 550 Views

Andhra Pradesh Ministers Narayana and BC Janardhan Reddy are on a visit to Seoul, South Korea, to promote investment opportunities in the state. The ministers are engaging with high-level officials under the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) and participating in the AP-South Korea Business Forum Partnership Summit Road Show, ahead of the CII Partnership Summit scheduled in Visakhapatnam in November. During their second day in Seoul, the ministers held meetings with representatives of major international firms, including LG Chem, the world’s 9th largest chemical company, and LS Group, a leading electronics, energy, and cable manufacturer. They discussed AP’s business-friendly environment, ease of doing business, single-window clearance system, and investment opportunities, highlighting the state’s commitment to creating sustainable urban infrastructure and economic growth under CM Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership. The ministers also met with ShoeallS, a global leader in medical and smart footwear, and SK Hynix, one of the largest DRAM and NAND flash memory suppliers. They invited these firms to participate in the November 14–15 CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, emphasizing Andhra Pradesh’s strategic advantages such as port connectivity, industrial corridors, land banks, and international air connectivity. In addition to business discussions, the ministers visited N Tower, one of Seoul’s prominent tourist landmarks, to understand urban infrastructure and tourism development. The delegation’s visit aims to strengthen AP-South Korea business ties, attract international investments, and position Andhra Pradesh as a global investment destination.

Joint Ventures Allowed for Vijayawada & Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Tenders

Sep 22, 2025 | 608 Views

The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC) has announced that Joint Ventures (JVs) will be allowed to participate in the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam Metro Rail civil work tenders. Managing Director N. P. Ramakrishna Reddy confirmed the decision through a press release from the APMRC office in Amaravati. As part of Phase-1, APMRC has invited international tenders for 40% of the civil works, covering 46.23 km in Visakhapatnam and 38 km in Vijayawada. The decision to allow JVs was taken after several contracting firms attending the pre-bid meeting requested more flexibility, including smaller work packages and the option to participate as joint ventures. Responding to these requests, APMRC decided to permit a maximum of three companies to form a JV and submit bids together. This is expected to increase competition and participation from more companies. However, authorities clarified that they will not divide the works into smaller packages, as completing both projects by 2028 within budget remains a priority. The last date for submission of tenders is set for October 10 for Visakhapatnam Metro and October 14 for Vijayawada Metro. This decision follows a review of other metro projects across India and aims to ensure timely completion without escalating costs.

Healthy, Wealthy, Happy Andhra Pradesh – CM Chandrababu Naidu

Sep 18, 2025 | 575 Views

Visakhapatnam, Sept 17: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reiterated that “Healthy, Wealthy, Happy Andhra Pradesh” is the state’s vision, with women’s health being the foundation of family well-being. Participating in the Swast Nari – Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan alongside Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the CM said women’s wellness directly strengthens families and society. The event included a live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address. CM Naidu announced that every family in the state is covered under a universal health insurance scheme worth ₹2.5 lakh, with additional coverage of up to ₹25 lakh provided through the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust for the poor. He highlighted that Andhra Pradesh is spending nearly ₹20,000 crore on public health this year, reflecting the government’s commitment to healthcare accessibility. Over the next 15 days, 13,944 health camps will be conducted across the state, offering free tests for anemia, hypertension, diabetes, oral and breast cancer, cervical cancer, TB, and more, with specialists from multiple disciplines providing services. The CM stressed lifestyle changes such as reducing sugar, salt, and oil consumption to maintain good health. He also mentioned Project Sanjeevani, developed with Tata and Gates Foundation, which will digitize health records for all citizens. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh’s MedTech Zone in Visakhapatnam is producing world-class medical equipment for export, strengthening the state’s healthcare ecosystem. Focusing on women’s empowerment, CM Naidu pointed out that the government has provided welfare schemes like three free gas cylinders under Deepam, free travel under Stree Shakti, and financial empowerment through DWCRA and MEPMa groups, where women’s savings have crossed ₹20,000 crore. He lauded Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in granting 33% reservation for women in legislatures, calling it a milestone in women’s empowerment. The CM also assured that Visakhapatnam will be developed as one of the leading cities in India, citing Google’s upcoming presence as a testimony to the city’s growth potential.