From Our Correspondent
Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced that the Andhra Pradesh government is working to establish a dedicated Artificial Intelligence University, modeled on global institutions such as the one in Abu Dhabi. The proposal was placed before Yunjo Ko, Chief Sustainability Strategy Officer and Executive Vice-President of LG Chem, during a meeting on Day Two of the CII Partnership Summit. Naidu invited LG Chem to partner in building the university.
The Chief Minister also urged LG Chem to set up a Naptha cracker complex and polymer manufacturing unit at Kakinada or Mulapet, and assured full government support for the company’s proposal to establish a Cathode Active Material unit in the state. He said Andhra Pradesh offers significant opportunities for plastic recycling and downstream industries.
Tourism Expansion Discussions with Atmosphere Core
Naidu later met Atmosphere Core South Asia MD Souvagya Mohapatra and co-founder Salil Panigrahi to discuss tourism investments. He reviewed ongoing hospitality projects in Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and Amaravati, and encouraged the development of luxury and adventure tourism.
He suggested the group explore:
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Adventure resorts in Gandikota
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Hill resorts in Araku–Anantagiri
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Restoration and tourism development of Bobbili–Vizianagaram forts
The Atmosphere Core team expressed interest in establishing world-class resorts at Rushikonda.
Fertilizer and Cruise Tourism MoUs
The Chief Minister held discussions with IFFCO Chairman Dileep Nanubhai Sanghania on establishing Green Ammonia, Hydrogen-based fertilizer plants, bio-fertilizer and bio-stimulant units to benefit farmers.
He also met Jurgen Bailam, President & CEO of Cordelia Cruises, to seek collaboration on cruise tourism routes between Visakhapatnam–Kakinada and Bhimunipatnam, aiming to promote high-end beach and water-sports tourism.
AP–WEF MoU on Cyber Protection in Energy Sector
In a major step toward strengthening its energy infrastructure, the state government signed an MoU with the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the presence of Naidu and Jeremy Jurgens, MD, Forum’s Centre for Frontier Technologies and Cybersecurity.
Naidu emphasized that cyber protection is essential for the energy sector, especially as the state moves toward its ambitious target of generating 160 GW of green energy. He said reducing the cost of power generation and transmission will ensure long-term stability and lower consumer tariffs. The Chief Minister highlighted the rollout of rooftop solar under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.