Andhra Pradesh Presentation and Economy Growth Report | IBEF

The erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh has been bifurcated into two states, Telangana, and residuary Andhra Pradesh (Seemandhra), by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 or the Telangana Act. The act consisted of the aspects of the division of assets and liabilities, the boundaries of the proposed new states, and the status of the capital city Hyderabad after the separation of the state.

The state has a well-developed social, physical, and industrial infrastructure and virtual connectivity. It also has good power, airport, IT, and port infrastructure. At current prices, Andhra Pradesh's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) was Rs. 9,72,782.11 crore (US$ 138.19 billion) for 2019-20 as opposed to Rs. 8,62,957.08 crore (US$ 126.1 billion) for 2018-19.

Andhra Pradesh has been one of the foremost states to have developed sector-specific policies. Forming industrial clusters and developing infrastructure, such as biotech parks, textile parks and hardware parks, has been the state's key strategy to attract investments in various industries.

As of February 2020, the state had 20 operational SEZs (Special Economic Zone), 32 SEZs with formal approvals, four SEZs with in-principle approval, and 27 notified SEZs. These SEZs were spread across diversified sectors which include textiles & apparel, food processing, footwear & leather products, multi-product, pharma, IT SEZs, etc.

Between October 2019 and March 2021, FDI inflows in Andhra Pradesh stood at US$ 291.80 million. The state ranked 13th in India in terms of FDI inflows.

• During 2019, 139 investment intentions worth Rs. 18,823 crore (US$ 2.69 billion) were filed in the state.

In February 2021, the state government announced completion of the first-phase of ‘Nadu-Nedu’—a scheme launched by the state government to take up basic infrastructure works—covering 15,700 schools, with the cost being Rs. 2,570 crore (US$ 346.45 million)

In February 2021, the state government approved seven new ESI (Employees’ State Insurance) hospitals. Of these, construction of a 100-bed ESI hospital in Vizianagaram is estimated to be complete by March 2023

Seemandhra, comprising Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra, has most of the power projects of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Coal-based power plants are mostly located in the state due to proximity to the ports. As of March 2020, Andhra Pradesh had a total installed power generation capacity of 24,854.00 MW.

The Visakhapatnam port ranks third in terms of port traffic in India. It handled 72.72 million tonnes of traffic during 2019-20.

• In August 2020, the state government has approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Phase-1 work of Bhavanapadu Port in Srikakulam at an estimated cost of Rs. 3,669.95 crore (US$ 499.51 million). The project is expected to be completed by 2023-24.
• On November 17, 2019, ports of Visakhapatnam and Ranong in Thailand entered in joint venture to explore business opportunities.
• In May 2021, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of additional 25% shareholding of Adani Krishnapatnam Port Limited by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited.

In 2019, domestic tourist arrivals in the state stood at 195.8 million, while foreign tourist arrivals stood at 0.23 million.

• The government has taken eco-tourism initiatives by creating new community based Eco-Tourism Centres and strengthening the existing eco-tourism centres by involving local tribes.
• In September 2020, The Andhra Pradesh government issued the ‘AP Tourism Trade (Registration and Facilitation) Guidelines, 2020’ to position the state as a premier tourist destination by improving the standard of services.

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