The Andhra Pradesh government has urged Walmart and Flipkart to expand sourcing from the state beyond seafood and pharmaceuticals to products made by MSMEs, women-led self-help groups and local artisans. Walmart already purchases more than 65 million pounds of shrimp annually from Andhra Pradesh.
Visakhapatnam, November 12 — The Andhra Pradesh government has urged US retail giant Walmart to increase sourcing from the state by bringing more MSMEs, women-led self-help groups and local artisans into its domestic and global supply chains.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Andhra Pradesh IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh and Walmart Senior Vice President for Global Government Affairs and Business Diplomacy Paul Dyck.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 31st CII Partnership Summit.
The state wants Walmart and Flipkart to expand sourcing beyond existing categories such as seafood and pharmaceuticals.
Walmart buys 65 million pounds of shrimp
Walmart is already one of the biggest buyers of shrimp produced in Andhra Pradesh.
According to the state government’s statement, the retailer purchases more than 65 million pounds of shrimp annually from the state.
It also sources pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods from Andhra Pradesh.
Lokesh proposed organising an MSME sourcing event in Andhra Pradesh, focused particularly on seafood and textiles, and suggested that Walmart bring its global buyers to the event.
The proposal would build on the Walmart Growth Summit held in New Delhi, which connected Indian suppliers with Walmart’s global buying teams.
Push for women-led SHGs and artisans
The Andhra Pradesh government also wants Walmart and Flipkart to create a dedicated supply-chain channel for products made by women-led self-help groups and local artisans.
These products could be marketed under the state’s Swayam AP and Lepakshi brands.
Lokesh said MSMEs, women’s groups and artisans in Andhra Pradesh produce goods of global quality but need direct access to international buyers.
Flipkart investments create over 28,000 jobs
Flipkart’s investments in Andhra Pradesh have already generated more than 28,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to the statement.
Its network includes over 100 logistics hubs covering around 12 lakh square feet, along with 0.33 million square feet of wholesale space.
Under an MoU involving the AP MSME Corporation and Ratan Tata Innovation Hub, more than 3,200 MSMEs have received training.
Of these, more than 900 MSMEs are now selling through Flipkart and Walmart marketplaces.
Dyck said Walmart would examine the proposals put forward by the Andhra Pradesh government.
The state hopes wider sourcing by Walmart and Flipkart can provide its smaller businesses, artisans and women-led enterprises with greater access to domestic and global markets.
