Opening of APIIC ED office brings cheers

The posting of an ED in Vizag city will sort out the problems with regard to allotment of land to investors, say entrepreneurs

The opening of the office of Executive Director, AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), has started doing wonders.

The office, which was opened without any fanfare a month ago as per the promise made by the State Government at a CII-organised conclave here in July, has brought cheers among investors.

Hit by bifurcation blues, entrepreneurs say the posting of an ED here will sort out the problems with regard to allotment of land to investors. Several projects involving crores of rupees could not be grounded for want of prompt decision-making.

The appointment of V. Raghunath as ED has already started showing positive results. The uncertainty dogging the launching of India’s first Centre for Electromagnetic Environmental Effects by SAMEER, autonomous R&D wing under Department of Electronics & IT (DeitY), Ministry of Communications & IT came to an end with the intervention of Mr. Raghunath.

The problem was sorted out to retain the project involving an investment of Rs.80 crore following the decision taken to reduce lease rental to Re1. per square metre.

Marine Products Export Development Authority’s proposal to set up a shrimp research project had been hanging fire for three years due to delay in allotment of site. The new ED held a meeting with officials concerned and identified 1,000 square yards in a non-SEZ area of Gambheeram from the common use area. “The recommendation has been sent to the head office for approval as such a lab for shrimp testing will help promote Visakhapatnam as a hub for seafood exports,” Mr. Raghunath told The Hindu .

Tool room

The ED office also identified a site for tool room for MSME units and short-listed applicants for allotment of sites to start small and medium ventures.

“We are very happy with the timely intervention and decision-making in clearing sites for various projects after opening of the ED’s office. Now we hope that land mapping will also be completed fast for allotment to various big ticket projects coming up in and around Visakhapatnam,” said Vizag Development Council vice-president O. Naresh Kumar.