PepsiCo, Walmart, Wipro, Hero group keen to invest in Andhra Pradesh

PepsiCo has evinced interest to set up mango pulp units in Andhra Pradesh, apart from plans to procure mangoes in huge quantities from the state, said a statement from AP chief minister’s office.

The PepsiCo chairman and chief executive officer Indra Nooyi assured the Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Davos on the plans of global beverages giant in an interaction on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting Wednesday.

While Nooyi wanted to procure some 250 million tons of mangoes from AP, Naidu expressed inability to meet the needs of PepsiCo immediately since the state produces only around 70 million tons now. However, he assured her that the state will take measures to step up mango production to meet the requirement of PepsiCo, the release said.

The beverages giant has also expressed interest in packaging and branding the tender coconut water, a move that would help the coconut farmers in Konaseema region of Andhra. PepsiCo chief also evinced interest to procure jowar, papaya, banana and other agricultural and horticultural produce.

Indra Nooyi has agreed to visit Andhra sometime in March to finalise the company’s business plans and coloration with the state.

Global retain giant Walmart and Indian IT and FMCG conglomerate Wipro have also shown keen interest to invest and expand in Andhra, the statement from CMO said. Naidu met the Walmart International president and chief executive David Cheesewright where the latter showed keenness to open more retail stores, apart from creating opportunities for Walmart to promote and purchase ‘Made in Andhra’ products.

The Walmart global chief has also expressed interest to promote and procure some 20 varieties of organically grown agricultural and horticulture products include cashew, peanuts, coffee, rice, potato, coconut, maize, pulses, fruits, marine products, dairy products among others. Cheesewright plans to visit Andhra in April to pursue collaborative initiatives.

Wipro chairman Azim Premji thanked Naidu for according all clearances in a week to their IT SEZ project which was pending with the government for nearly three years. Premji assured to develop Vizag as digital city on pilot basis, apart from helping the state government to develop electronic governance products and apps in joint venture.

Further, the Wipro chief has also assured association in skill development, apart from setting up a soap factory in Hindupur, close to Bangalore.

The Hero group’s chairman Sunil Kant Munjal also met Naidu and assured building the company’s largest two-wheeler manufacturing facility near Sri City within the promised time schedules. Apart from advising AP to study the single-window mechanism introduced by Punjab recently through an Act, Munjal suggested the state to collaborate with Japan, which has potential for large financial investments.