UAE Ambassador Emphasizes Andhra’s Role in UAE-India Partnership

Vijayawada: UAE Ambassador Highlights Andhra Pradesh’s Strategic Role in UAE-India Partnership

UAE Ambassador Emphasizes Andhra Pradesh’s Importance

VIJAYAWADA: UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali highlighted the pivotal role of Andhra Pradesh in the strategic partnership between the UAE and India during a significant economic and investment roundtable held in Vijayawada on Thursday. This roundtable was a collaborative effort between the UAE Embassy in Delhi, the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC), and the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The event aimed to bolster economic ties and investment opportunities between the UAE and the State of Andhra Pradesh.

Significance of Economic and Investment Collaboration

In his keynote address, Ambassador Alshaali stressed the importance of enhancing economic and investment collaboration between the UAE and Andhra Pradesh. He pointed out that the active participation of over 10 major UAE companies in the roundtable underscored the UAE’s commitment to supporting the ambitious investment and development goals of Andhra Pradesh. This active engagement demonstrates a strong mutual interest in advancing economic ties and leveraging investment opportunities.

Boosting Air Connectivity

A major focus of the discussions was the need to improve air connectivity between the UAE and Andhra Pradesh. Alshaali emphasized that enhanced air links are crucial for boosting people-to-people engagement and fostering direct investment. He noted that UAE carriers could potentially operate up to 35 direct flights per week to major Andhra Pradesh airports, including Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati. This expansion in flight operations is expected to increase passenger traffic to Andhra Pradesh’s airports by over 500,000 annually. Such direct air links would not only enhance consumer choice but also create significant economic opportunities for the local population and strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s status as a key regional and international aviation hub.

State Government’s Vision and Plans

Minister for Industries TG Bharath, who co-chaired the meeting with Ambassador Alshaali, outlined the State’s favorable business environment and expressed anticipation for increased investments from the UAE. Bharath assured the UAE delegation that past issues would be resolved, and criticized the previous YSRC government for contributing to the departure of investors like Lulu. He assured that a new industrial policy would be introduced to restore investor confidence and support the State’s economic growth. “We will introduce a new industrial policy soon and regain the trust of investors,” Bharath stated.

Overview of UAE-India CEPA and Investment Opportunities

Aljneibi, Director of the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC), provided a comprehensive overview of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). He highlighted the various opportunities available for Andhra Pradesh’s business community to capitalize on CEPA and other bilateral initiatives. Several UAE companies took this opportunity to present their investment plans for Andhra Pradesh and India, signaling strong interest in expanding their operations in the region.

Diplomatic Engagement and Trade Relations

Earlier in the day, Ambassador Alshaali met with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to reaffirm the UAE Government’s commitment to expanding tangible engagement with Andhra Pradesh across all aspects of the bilateral partnership. Andhra Pradesh is currently ranked as the UAE’s 11th largest trading partner among India’s 28 States and eight union territories. The total trade between Andhra Pradesh and the UAE reached USD 1.46 billion for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, reflecting the growing economic ties between the two regions.

The roundtable and related discussions underscore the strategic importance of Andhra Pradesh in the UAE-India partnership. The collaborative efforts aim to further enhance economic cooperation, investment opportunities, and bilateral relations, setting the stage for future growth and development.