CII A.P. Chapter office-bearers addressing the media regarding the Union Budget in Vijayawada on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: K.V.S. GIRI
The CII Andhra Pradesh Chapter welcomed the Union Budget 2026, describing it as a balanced and forward-looking roadmap for India’s long-term economic growth and said it reflects the Centre’s commitment to next generation reforms and sustaining high economic growth while maintaining macroeconomic stability.
Addressing media persons on Sunday (February 1), CII-A.P. chairperson Murali Krishna Gannamani said that by reinforcing key sectors such as manufacturing, MSMEs, agriculture and education, the Budget would not only strengthen the nation’s economic foundations but also charts a clear path towards a Viksit Bharat. He noted that the emphasis laid by it on productivity, infrastructure and export competitiveness would support sustained growth, generate employment and enhance India’s global economic standing and significantly benefit south India.
He hailed the measures taken to support the MSMEs and asserted that by enabling easier access to credit, technology adoption and skill development, the budget would empower small and medium enterprises to scale, innovate and contribute meaningfully to employment generation and regional economic growth.
Vice-Chairperson of CII A.P. S. Narendra Kumar said the launch of Semiconductor Mission 2.0 would give a fillip to India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and welcomed the increasing of the outlay for Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme from ₹22,919 crore to ₹40,000 crore.
CII Vijayawada zone chairperson V. Nagalakshmi, former chairpersons D.V. Ravindranath and M. Lakshmi Prasad and V. Venkateswara Rao, Ratnam Castings MD Movva Ramakrishna, VIT-A.P. University vice-chancellor Arul Arulmozhivarman, Teksora CEO Ashok Kolla and CII Young Indians Amaravati chapter chairperson Balakrishna Chittineni spoke.
A.P. Chambers representatives briefing the media on the Union Budget in Vijayawada on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
G.N. Rao
In a separate media briefing, A.P. Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (A.P. Chambers) president Potluri Bhaskara Rao said the budget took a pragmatic approach in the backdrop of global economic uncertainties arising from geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions.
He said the government’s emphasis on fiscal consolidation and structural reforms was encouraging and welcomed the announcement of a ₹10,000-crore SME Growth Fund, along with a ₹4,000 crore top-up to the Self-Reliant India Fund, noting that these measures would resolve the liquidity constraints faced by the MSMEs. The proposal to revive 200 legacy industrial clusters would provide the much-needed relief to micro enterprises.
AP Chambers executive vice-president B. Raja Sekhar said the decision to facilitate all CPSE purchases from MSMEs through TReDS would significantly improve liquidity and timely payments and that continued focus on infrastructure development in tier-2 and tier-3 cities will boost regional economic activity.
Published – February 01, 2026 07:31 pm IST
