AP inks 17 pacts worth Rs 4,000 cr with food processing cos

Aiming to boost the food processing sector, Andhra Pradesh government today inked 17 initial pacts worth Rs 4,000 crore with reputed global and domestic players at the ongoing World Food India here.
The MoUs were signed in the presence of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu who was here to attend the inaugural session of the three-day World Food India-2017 organised by the central government.
A major MoU has been signed with the UAE's Sharaf Group has promised to invest Rs 2,000 crore for setting up of a logistics and food park, the state government said in a statement.
The CM held one-on-one meetings with the corporate leaders in the food processing industry and invited them to invest in the state.

He assured of full cooperation in terms of providing land, water and necessary logistics for setting up the business.
"We have a separate policy to promote food processing in the state with a focus to protect the interest of farmers," Naidu said.

Among others, Haldiram has signed a MoU with the state government for establishing a food processing and manufacturing unit with an investment of Rs 400 crore.
Janani Foods Pvt has promised to invest Rs 500 crore for setting up of an integrated horticulture project in the state.
Keventer Agro signed a MoU with an investment promise of Rs 250 crore for setting up of a banana procurement and processing unit.

Other major MoUs were signed with ITC, Sesh Sai Foods, MNR Agri Food Products, Foods and Inns, Freshfrugies, RF Exports, Tifosi Foods and Waycool, the state said.
The state government also signed a MoU with Supermarket Grocery Supplier Pvt Ltd (BigBasket.com) to promote organic farming and provide market linkages to farmers, it added.