N Chandrababu Naidu lays foundation stone for MSME technology centre

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday laid the foundation stone for an MSME technology centre near here under a World Bank-funded programme. He said he has been visiting various countries to get investments so that Andhra Pradesh is able to compete with other states in the field of industrial development.

Setting up of an industrial corridor in the region around Visakhapatnam district will help Andhra Pradesh become a hub of industrial activity in the country, he said. Naidu was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for a facility to be set up under Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP) at Pudi village near here in Atchutapuram mandal. TCSP is a World Bank-funded project being implemented by Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). Its main focus is to support industries, particularly MSMEs, through access to advanced manufacturing technologies, skilling manpower and providing technical and business advisory support to entrepreneurs.

Naidu said the TCSP unit is being developed at a cost of Rs 140 crore. He also announced a development package for villages surrounding industrial centres in the district. Later, he visited the Brandix India Apparel City at Atchutapuram and interacted with workers. He asked the management of Brandix India Apparel City, recognised as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by the Union Government, to form a wage board for periodical hikes for its employees. Naidu also laid the foundation stone for 400 houses being built by the AP Housing Board for those who lost their dwellings in the 2014 Hudhud cyclone. He also inaugurated 200 houses built by Infosys.

PTI