From Our Correspondent
Zurich: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu began his four-day Davos tour with a packed first day in Zurich, pitching Andhra Pradesh as an investment-ready state with policy clarity, skilled manpower and a sharp focus on future technologies.
Soon after arriving, Naidu met Mridul Kumar, India’s Ambassador to Switzerland, and sought his cooperation in facilitating Swiss investments into Andhra Pradesh. The discussions covered opportunities in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, electronics, rail components, textiles and advanced manufacturing—sectors where Switzerland has global leadership.
Naidu underlined that Andhra Pradesh has rolled out 25 new industrial policies, with priority accorded to artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and skill development aligned to global industry needs. “AP is ready with a skilled workforce to meet industrial demand,” he said, adding that targeted skilling initiatives were designed to support high-end manufacturing and emerging tech sectors.
The ambassador praised Naidu’s investment-driven approach, noting that Andhra Pradesh had attracted commitments worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore during the previous World Economic Forum annual meeting. He also cited smaller European economies leveraging AI for rapid growth—an approach Naidu said Andhra Pradesh was keen to emulate, including through engagements with delegations from countries such as Liechtenstein.
Minister for HR and Skill Development Nara Lokesh, who accompanied the Chief Minister along with Minister TG Venkatesh, outlined Andhra Pradesh’s skilling roadmap, including advances in the drone sector with payload capacities reaching up to 100 kg.
Earlier in the day, Naidu received a warm welcome at Zurich airport from members of the Telugu diaspora, interacting personally with those who had gathered. He was also greeted by global leaders attending the WEF, including Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga.
Later, Naidu held talks with Eros Innovations Founder and Chairman Kishore Lulla, pitching Andhra Pradesh as a hub for AI-driven creative enterprises. He highlighted opportunities in generative AI, deep tech, virtual production, gaming, animation and digital content. Eros executives presented plans including an AI-enabled Film City, virtual studios and a ‘Discover Andhra Pradesh 360’ immersive tourism initiative. Lulla hailed Naidu as the “Davos Man Chandrababu” for his global outlook.
With back-to-back meetings and policy pitches, Naidu’s first day set the tone for an aggressive investment outreach at Davos, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a state betting squarely on technology-led growth rather than rhetoric.