From Our Correspondent
New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh has set an ambitious target of attracting one trillion dollars in global and domestic investments, Minister for Education and Information Technology Nara Lokesh announced on Wednesday. Speaking ahead of the CII Partnership Summit scheduled in Visakhapatnam on November 14–15, Lokesh highlighted the state’s rapid industrial growth, youth-focused reforms, and investment-friendly governance under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
In just 16 months, the state has secured $120 billion (₹10 lakh crore) worth of investments, Lokesh said, describing them as “real projects creating real jobs.” “These are not paper MoUs — they represent tangible ventures transforming regional economies,” he asserted.
Employment-Centric Growth
Lokesh said the government’s development agenda was built around job creation. “We are committed to generating two million jobs in five years. Every policy we frame is driven by employment outcomes,” he said.
He cited major investments underscoring global confidence in the state — ArcelorMittal’s steel complex, Google’s Data City in Visakhapatnam, BPCL’s ₹1 lakh crore refinery, NTPC’s ₹1.65 lakh crore green hydrogen hub, and solar projects by five of India’s top ten manufacturers.
“Speed of Doing Business” Model
Highlighting the Naidu government’s efficiency-focused approach, Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh was setting benchmarks in “Speed of Doing Business”, ensuring swift approvals and execution. “In today’s global economy, time is the new currency. Even a one-month delay can derail a billion-dollar project,” he said, adding that this agility has drawn companies such as TCS and Cognizant to expand operations in the state.
Andhra Pradesh also aims to strengthen its tourism ecosystem by adding 50,000 hotel rooms in three years, being one of the first Indian states to formally recognize tourism as an industry.
Governance and Leadership
Explaining why investors are turning to Andhra Pradesh, Lokesh said, “Our strength lies in three pillars — speed, regulatory efficiency, and visionary leadership.” He described the Naidu-led administration as a “double-engine bullet-train government under the NAMO leadership of Naidu and Modi,” aligning with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Global Platform for Partnerships
The CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam will bring together 300 delegates from 45 countries, including G20 members and 12 international organizations. The two-day event will feature 48 sessions covering quantum technologies, AI, materials science, and state-level business opportunities.
During the summit, 410 investment agreements worth $120 billion are expected to be signed, potentially creating 750,000 jobs. Groundbreaking ceremonies for projects valued at ₹2.7 lakh crore will also take place.
Trillion-Dollar Vision
Concluding his address, Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh’s trillion-dollar vision was not aspirational but actionable. “Our goal is to make Andhra Pradesh a global hub for sustainable, technology-driven industrial development,” he said. “Through a cluster-based model, we aim for balanced, inclusive growth that touches every corner of the state.”