From Our Correspondent
Visakhapatnam: The 30th CII Partnership Summit began on a grand scale at AU Engineering College Grounds on Friday, inaugurated by Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Ram Mohan Naidu, Srinivasa Varma and Pemmasani Chandrasekhar attended, along with IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Chief Secretary Vijayanand, CII president Rajiv Memani and DG Chandrajit Banerjee. Top industrialists including Karan Adani, Yusuff Ali and Baba Kalyani were present.
Adani Ports MD Karan Adani said Andhra Pradesh is transforming with “speed of doing business,” emerging as India’s fastest-growing startup state. The Adani Group has invested $15 billion in AP and created over one lakh jobs, he said, praising Lokesh’s efforts to align youth skills with industry needs.
GMR Group Chairman G.M. Rao said CM Naidu’s vision is enabling world-class airports in Andhra Pradesh, adding that Bhogapuram airport will also house an integrated aerospace ecosystem with MRO facilities.
Bajaj Finserv Chairman Sanjiv Bajaj called AP “a growth engine for India,” noting its 1,000 km coastline makes it a gateway for trade, technology and innovation. He announced Rahul Bajaj Skilling Centres in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Sriperumbudur and Tirupati.
CII Vice-President and Bharat Biotech MD Suchitra K. Ella said India is overcoming global trade challenges and advancing in green energy. She recalled that Chandrababu Naidu created the Genome Valley ecosystem where Bharat Biotech later developed its COVID-19 vaccine.
Bharat Forge Joint MD Amit Kalyani said the AI and data era is accelerating globally, and Andhra Pradesh under Naidu is moving in step. Bharat Forge plans investments in shipbuilding and tourism, in addition to ongoing defence manufacturing, and is supporting youth skilling through the Tata Innovation Hub.