Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister Mr N Chandrababu Naidu yet again underscored the role of the maritime and logistics space in fostering economic growth and said that AP will be developed as Gate way of East coast soon with best logistics hub to meet global standards.

Speaking at a recent maritime conference held in Vizag, he announced establishing a logistics university and civil aviation university in AP soon.

The Chief Minister advised the experts of port-led shipping industries to form an advisory body with 20 members to offer suggestions to the state government to develop AP as Logistics hub of East Coast.

Identifying the contribution of logistics sector to GSDP to be at one per cent at present he stressed the need for increasing it to 3 per cent. He said Andhra Pradesh is the best place for exports and that the state government is  developing ports or fishing harbours at every 50 km along the 1050 km coastline in AP.

He further added that the state government planning to develop ship building, ship and container repairing and ship recycling units in Duggirajupatnam, Machilipatnam and other ports including providing facilities for maintenance of Defence vessels.

In addition, Mr Naidu stressed the need for creating digital logistics platform and cargo tracking facilities and develop rail, road and air connectivity for all the major ports.