Andhra Pradesh industrial cluster plans received support from Japanese companies during a meeting between Japan Research Institute (JRI) chairman Kenji Hiramatsu and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, with potential sites identified near Anantapur or Visakhapatnam. The proposal also includes maritime infrastructure, shipbuilding clusters and investor-ready industrial blueprints for the state.
Hiramatsu told the Chief Minister that Japanese companies were interested in establishing an industrial cluster in Andhra Pradesh on the lines of the Sri City special economic zone model. He said JRI was willing to work with the state government to prepare blueprints that could help attract and organise investment.
The discussions also covered Japan-India cooperation in trade and logistics. Hiramatsu said Japanese companies were investing in the $100-billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, with JRI playing a role in facilitating such investments. The institute is working with the Indian Council for International Economic Research, according to the report.
JRI also expressed interest in supporting infrastructure for maritime growth, including the possible development of shipbuilding clusters. Visakhapatnam, which has an established port and industrial base, and Anantapur were identified as possible locations for the proposed industrial cluster. No final site, investment amount, project schedule or approval was announced in the meeting.
Hiramatsu also informed the Chief Minister that JRI was considering organising an AP-Japan Business Summit in Amaravati. Naidu responded that Andhra Pradesh was ready to work with Japan and urged Japanese companies to examine investment opportunities and resources available in the state.
Separately, Naidu met Mondelez India Foods president Sameer Jain and company representatives to review the planned expansion of the company’s chocolate manufacturing facility at Sri City. The company said work was under way to increase production capacity by 90 per cent through an investment of ₹1,800 crore. Once completed, the facility is expected to become one of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturing plants, according to the report.
The Chief Minister asked Mondelez to increase local sourcing of cocoa, dairy products, sugar, packaging materials and other agricultural inputs. He said the move could create additional income for farmers and DWCRA self-help group women, while also generating employment in packaging and related activities. The company also briefed the government on skill-training programmes for local youth.
Naidu proposed a Cocoa Mission in partnership with Mondelez to expand cultivation by 10,000 hectares every year and reach annual production of 50,000 metric tonnes by 2040. He also suggested establishing a Cocoa Centre of Excellence and research and development hub in Tirupati in collaboration with agricultural universities. Mondelez representatives responded positively to these proposals, while the state government assured the company of infrastructure and other support for the Sri City expansion.
