Thrust on port-led development will take AP to next level in economic prosperity, says VPA Chairman

Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) Chairman Dr. M. Angamuthu on Friday exuded confidence that Andhra Pradesh Government's Swarnandhra Vision aligned with Vikasit Bharat Mission of the Centre will take the State to the next level towards economic prosperity through emphasis on port-led development.

He was speaking at a roadshow,-cim-workshop named Port's Confluence (PORTCON) here with the stakeholders in connection with India Maritime Week being observed from October 27 to 31 in Mumbai on the theme "Shaping maritime narrative for economic development through policy, research & coordination."

PORTCON roadshow strategically aimed to showcase Visakhapatnam as a city of prominence and exponential growth in the maritime sector, while generating nationwide support for the India Maritime Week's success.

The Chairperson emphasised the significance of this global maritime congregation that expects participation from over 1,00,000 delegates representing 100+ countries, positioning it as one of the world's largest maritime events.

Dr. Angamuthu, who has been promoted and posted as next Chairman of Mumbai Port Authority, appreciated Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's view that the State should have some maritime activity in every 50 km radius, putting its coastline to optimum use for strengthening the maritime economy.

He said the Government of India narrative is to give a big boost to maritime trade and commerce by strengthening the existing infrastructure and reducing the logistics cost.

Among others, N. Sridhar, Principal Commissioner of Customs and Central Goods & Services Tax, Animesh Bharti, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and Mrityunjay Jha, Director, MoPSW, spoke.

At the event, VPA presented cash awards and certificates to the winners of a hackathon held for 100 startups with innovative ideas on logistics and other real-time solutions.

In his address, Mruthanjeya Jha informed the five Legislative Acts-2025 passed in the Parliament which will transform the Maritime Sector as a whole.

Later, he made a presentation on the Indian maritime sector explaining of the significance and importance of VIBHAS and NAVIC CELLS in making the Indian maritime one of the major contributions to the India’s economy.

Sridhar in his speech emphasised oceans are the wealth of the country and to explore as this sector is the future of economic growth to the nation and reiterated that all the stakeholders to work hand-in-hand in transforming the Sector to higher levels.

In his presentation, Animesh Bharati enunciated the vision of the Prime Minister AMRITKAL-2047, the NAVIC-CELLS 15, 21, its implementation and the mechanism, the economic policy decisions, structural functions, regulations and financial implication for the projects and sustainability as a whole.

VPA Deputy Chairman Durgesh Kumar Dubey proposed a vote of thanks.