AP aims to nearly triple contribution of fisheries to GSDP this year

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh government aims to increase the contribution of the fisheries sector to the GSDP from the present 11 per cent to 30 per cent this year.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu suggested active collaboration between the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), whose Chairperson Leena Nair called on him at Secretariat here yesterday, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

"Let us form a joint task force to strengthen fisheries," Naidu was quoted as saying in an official statement, which added that he further suggested setting up a regional office of MPEDA in the state.

In order to tap the potential the sector holds, the Chief Minister informed her that various international companies have come forward to set up cold-storage facilities and processing units in the state, which also has plans to establish Aqua University on par with international standards.