The Vizagapatam Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Andhra Pradesh Government to take steps to set up a state maritime board immediately.
In a press release issued here on Monday, the chamber Vice-President, A V Monish Row, said the proposal had been hanging fire for quite a few years.
"The Chief Minister often talks of the coast line being the driver of growth, but it should be followed up with the setting up of state maritime board as in Gujarat. The Gujarat maritime board has achieved remarkable success in the State in the development of non-major ports. AP should follow Gujarat's example," he said.
He said it was essential to set up the board to woo investors to the State, especially in the the maritime sector. After Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh was endowed with a long coast line and it should be fully made use of.
Visakhapatnam in particular was being developed as the logistics hub and therefore the State Government should fully focus on the aspect to achieve its goal of port-led growth, he added.
Monish Row said the State Government should immediately introduce the Bill in the State Assembly for constituting the AP Maritime Board.