Hyderabad, Feb 19 (IANS): Aviation and defence firms have evinced interest in setting up manufacturing units in Andhra Pradesh, an official statement said here Thursday.

The interest was expressed as Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu Thursday met CEOs of 11 leading companies from aerospace, defence and aviation sectors at the Aero India 2015 show in Bengaluru, said a statement from the chief minister's office here.

He had one-on-one meetings with executives from various firms including Sukhoi, Sikorsky, UTC, Boeing, Raytheon International Inc, Bell Helicopter India, Honeywell India, GE Aviation and the American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM - India) and the US-India Business Council.

Later, he made a powerpoint presentation to 175 CEOs and industrialists explaining the opportunities for aviation and defence players in Andhra Pradesh.

He elaborated the state government's plans to establish defence and aerospace hubs in Chittoor, Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool and Prakasam districts.

Naidu told the CEOs that Andhra Pradesh has reduced the tax on aviation turbine fuel from 16 percent to one percent.

"We are also promoting greenfield and brownfield airports and are giving full support to allied sectors like MRO, cargo, general aviation and training," he added.

Naidu said that the state is focusing on developing cargo infrastructure at new airports and improving connectivity between ports, airports and logistics hubs.