Business Investment Opportunities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Endless variety of exotic flora and fauna

With over 86% of the area under tropical rainforests, Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer attractive opportunities for the wood-based industries.

Located in the Indian Ocean, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of 572 islands lying in the South-Eastern part of the Bay of Bengal. The Islands are located in close proximity to Indonesia and Thailand. Being well connected with the rest of the world with 23 ports and an international airport in the capital city of Port Blair, the business opportunities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands are plenty. The long coastline of 1,962 km provides huge opportunities for investments in marine-based industries, and cruise tourism which is currently at a nascent stage in India.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a total cropped area of over 47,000 HA, with major crops including coconut, paddy, banana and areca nut. 14,491 ha area of A&N Islands becomes the first large contiguous territory to be conferred with organic certification under ‘Large Area Certification’ scheme. Development of a deep internal port draught and proposal to build a trans-shipment port in Great Nicobar at an estimated cost of approximately INR 100 bn (US $ 1.36 bn) will enable large ships, along with new employment opportunities, to anchor and increase India's share in maritime trade.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a major tourist attraction with several beaches that offer water sporting and adventure activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving. The coastal belt surrounding these Islands is the abode of one of the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world.

Tourism

Andaman and Nicobar Islands hold some of the most pristine beaches and forests in the world, attracting tourists and naturalists from across the globe

About 89% of the Islands’ total area is under forests (Reserve + Deemed + Mangroves + Wetlands) and holds about 2000 sq. km of coral reefs.

Plenty of people from various parts of the world visit here every year to explore the charm and grandeur of the serene islands, to enjoy the unique culture of these islands, and to do Scuba Diving.

Radhanagar Beach in Havelock Island, A&N has often been awarded the Best Beach in Asia and the 6th position in the annual Travellers' Choice Awards for 2022 released by Tripadvisor, the travel platform as well as the silver award for 'Best Beach Destination in India’ at Outlook Traveller Awards 2022.

Fisheries

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have vast potential for fisheries development in view of its Coastal length of about 1,962 km and Continental shelf area of 35,000 Sq Km.

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around these islands is about 6,00,000 Sq. Km with an estimated Fishery potential is 2.4 lakh MT which is 4.5% of our Country’s total Fishery Potential. For augmentation of Fish production and to harvest the untapped fishery resources without effecting the fragile ecosystem, the Department of Fisheries, A & N Administration is implementing Various schemes/programmes. The islands have about 7557 Licensed Fishermen.