Andhra Pradesh’s food processing strategy received a boost on November 11 after Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu invited UAE companies to invest in the state’s proposed food cluster and explore opportunities in agricultural procurement, processing and exports. The discussions took place during a meeting with UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri in Visakhapatnam.
According to Deccan Chronicle, Naidu told the UAE minister that fruits grown in the Rayalaseema region were already being exported to international markets. He said the Andhra Pradesh government was developing Rayalaseema as a global horticulture hub through an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore.
The Chief Minister invited Silal, a UAE-based agrifood company, to participate in the food cluster proposed to be established by the UAE. He also urged the UAE minister to facilitate an early decision on the proposed cluster, which is intended to create opportunities across the procurement, processing and export of agricultural and food products.
The meeting also covered the proposed establishment of the Dubai-based Floormaster industry in Chittoor district. The report did not specify the proposed investment value, project timeline or the status of approvals for the facility. No signed investment agreement was announced as part of the meeting.
The UAE delegation informed the Chief Minister that 12 more UAE-based companies had expressed interest in investing in the proposed food cluster. It was also exploring the possibility of importing shrimp and other aquaculture products from Andhra Pradesh. The state’s aquaculture sector, therefore, featured in the discussions alongside horticulture and food processing.
Naidu also highlighted investment opportunities in maritime, aerospace and defence sectors and assured the UAE delegation that Andhra Pradesh was ready to work closely with companies in these areas. The discussions link the state’s agricultural production to wider infrastructure and trade ambitions, including maritime connectivity and international export channels.
During the meeting, Al Marri appreciated the newly constructed Bhogapuram Airport and described it as excellent, while congratulating Naidu on its development. The UAE minister said his country was keen to invest along India’s eastern coastline and that Andhra Pradesh could become a key destination for UAE investments.
The minister also welcomed the arrival of global companies and data centre projects, including Google in Andhra Pradesh, saying these developments reflected the state’s ability to attract major investments. Officials and representatives of UAE-based companies attended the meeting, with the next reported step being further consideration of the proposed food cluster and related investment opportunities.
