AP Chambers seeks Centre’s support to mitigate impact of US tariffs

Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) president Potluri Bhaskara Rao has said that the recent imposition of 50% US tariffs on Indian exports is severely affecting several key sectors in Andhra Pradesh, including aqua, textiles, agriculture products, auto components, and engineering.

“The US accounts for a major share of India’s exports, worth nearly USD 83 billion. To safeguard exporters, the Central government must diversify markets beyond the US,” Mr. Bhaskara Rao said while addressing members of AP Chambers and its 78 affiliated associations in Visakhapatnam.

AP Chambers called on the government to restore export subsidies, ease working capital access, reduce GST rates, and cut import duties on raw materials to keep Indian products competitive in global markets.

Mr. Bhaskara Rao also urged the Andhra Pradesh State government to release long-pending industrial incentives from the past five to six years, which he said could provide a crucial boost to MSMEs. “High fuel and power charges in Andhra Pradesh are also making it difficult for industries to compete with neighbouring states,” he added.

Highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rank as No.1 for the past four years, he said AP Chambers submitted proposals to reform fire, pollution, and building norms and extend the validity of NOCs from one to five years under a self-certification model.

AP Chambers general secretary B. Raja Sekhar said that even the engineering sector has been hit by US tariffs, stressing the need for India to reduce over-dependence on the American market.

The Chambers further urged the Centre to revive crucial schemes such as the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA), Market Access Initiative (MAI), and Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES), while also rolling out a simplified two-slab GST structure to support exporters.

AP Chambers treasurer Akkaiah Naidu, Affiliates Council chairman Bayana Venkat Rao, vice-chairperson Radhika, and presidents and secretaries of several state-level industry bodies participated in the meeting.