Visakhapatnam: Billionaire and Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani on Friday said the conglomerate was looking to invest in 10 gigawatts of renewable solar energy in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Speaking at the Andhra Pradesh Global Investors Summit, Ambani also stated his wish to push the retail industry in the state, noting it has already created 20,000 direct jobs and a large number of indirect jobs in Andhra Pradesh.
"Reliance Retail will source significantly more agri and agro-based products and manufactured goods from Andhra Pradesh for sale all over India. Apart from increasing the income of farmers, artisans and others, this will directly create over 50,000 livelihood opportunities in the state" he said. Noting that Reliance was among the "first corporates to believe in the stupendous economic potential of Andhra Pradesh", Ambani noted that oil and natural gas deposits were discovered in the state back in 2002.
"We have invested over a 1,50,000 crores in our KG-D6 assets, developing and supporting gas pipeline. Today, the natural gas produced by Reliance at the KG-D6 basin is fuelling India’s clean energy transition and will contribute to nearly 30% of India’s gas production" he further added. Hailing the role of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Ambani noted that under the former's leadership, the state had grown leaps and bounds.
"Be it economic growth or ease of doing business, the state today ranks among the best in India. There is energy, enthusiasm and ambition among the youth. There is hope, optimism and dynamism among the business community. And there is an all-pervasive confidence that Andhra will emerge as a leading player in New India’s growth story" Ambani further added.
Speaking about Reliance Jio's flagship True 5G telecom services which are set to kick off in the country by the end of 2023, the industrialist said the group was occupied with creating "the largest and the best digital network footprint in the state by investing over 40,000 crores". "Our 4G network covers 98% of Andhra Pradesh’s population, including those living in the remotest corners of the state. The rollout of Jio’s True 5G will be completed before the end of 2023 throughout India, including your state of Andhra Pradesh. Jio’s True 5G, will trigger a new wave of digital revolution in Andhra Pradesh, benefiting every sector of the economy. This will also create large-scale business and employment opportunities for the people of Andhra Pradesh" he noted.
