The Task Force on Economic Development for Swarna Andhra Pradesh @ 2047, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has recommended that the State government, in order to tap the potential of the blue economy, should draw lessons from other coastal States that are moving fast in the area.
It has cited as examples Tamil Nadu (T.N.), which is sustainably harnessing its ocean resources through the T.N. Coastal Restoration Mission, and several international instances, especially the Nordic countries.
It has also suggested that the government should plan a hi-tech city along the proposed ring road around Amaravati, covering Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and other hi-tech industrial hubs / centres, and to consider emulating the Sri City model across the State to give a fillip to the electronics, semiconductor and drones sector.
Integrated IT parks
Besides, the task force has suggested the development of integrated IT parks and incubation centres, while offering sector-specific incentives, particularly for R&D, in Anantapur, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam, framing of a dedicated AI policy, and setting up of an AI sandbox for nurturing entrepreneurs, facilitating the factors of production, and promoting skill development among the youth.
Another significant recommendation is to undertake a study to identify challenges, gaps and growth opportunities for building a strategic roadmap for the State to become a Clinical Trial hub, and to elevate the State’s positioning in India’s MedTech industry by nurturing a robust innovation ecosystem.
Petrochemical sector
To capture the emerging opportunities in downstream industries in the petrochemical sector, like bioplastics, the task force has recommended to the government to announce a dedicated policy for chemicals and petrochemicals, and to fast-track ongoing projects in the Visakhapatnam-Kakinada Petroleum, Chemical & Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR).
It has been noted that the petrochemical industry is now concentrated in a few States such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, and the coastal regions such as Andhra Pradesh have significant prospects to capture some of the opportunities.
Aerospace
Visualising opportunities in shipbuilding, submarine MRO, aerospace OEM, precision manufacturing and defence electronics, testing centres for ammunition and components (specifically in Kurnool), and propulsion systems and rocket technology development, the task force has recommended that the government should fast-track the development of already identified Aerospace & Defence Industrial Parks and plan more in the PPP mode with plug-and-play infra.
It has also suggested the setting up of defence testing infrastructure as a common facility under the private sector, establishing an air cargo complex as an integrated facility housing both domestic and international cargo terminals around the new international airports in Visakhapatnam and Amaravati / Vijayawada, and creating a thriving ecosystem for R&D with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Satish Dhawan Space Centre and other private players.
Published – July 18, 2025 03:25 am IST
