The Andhra Pradesh Government should take urgent steps to improve connectivity to ports in the State; currently, more than half the export cargo generated in the State is routed through the Chennai Port, according to Walter D'Souza, the regional Chairman of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

He was speaking at a seminar on strategic export management organised by the FIEO, the Vizagpatnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other organisations here on Friday. He said the AP Government should improve connectivity to Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada and Krishnapatnam ports in the State.

"It is all the more important as Andhra Pradesh is planning to develop another major port in the State. Of course, there has been considerable improvement in container cargo movement after the establishment of the container terminal here. Visakhapatnam Port is also planning to extend the terminal and, therefore, container cargo will go up. But the State Government should make special efforts to connect the hinterland with these ports," he said.

He said Andhra Pradesh had exported goods and services worth $14.8 billion during 2011-12, an increase of 9.5 per cent over the previous financial year. Though its export growth placed it in fifth place, it was much below the national average growth rate of 21 per cent. He said the State should strive to improve its supply chain and value chain to boost exports, as it had a strong agricultural base.

During the current financial year,  D'Souza said, Andhra Pradesh's export performance was impressive, $5.1 billion in the five months till July, a growth of 20 per cent over the corresponding period last year. National exports during the period dipped by 5.06 per cent. "Still, there is a lot of untapped export potential in the State and it can easily go to the first or second position in the country," he added.

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