From Our Correspondent
Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh is emerging as the gateway to India’s market with vast potential for global investments across multiple sectors, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Thursday.
Speaking at the CII India–Europe Business Partnership Roundtable, organized as part of the two-day CII Partnership Summit 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Naidu described the city as “beautiful, green, and one of the safest urban centres in India,” and said it was set to become a global IT hub.
“Google is setting up an AI data centre in Visakhapatnam with an investment of $15 billion, which will include subsea cable links to Singapore,” the Chief Minister announced. “Andhra Pradesh has adopted a ‘Speed of Doing Business’ approach to ensure clearances within 45 days.”
Citing examples, Naidu said Premier Energies received all approvals within 45 days after a single call, while Reliance secured permissions for the world’s second-largest brewery in just one month and is set to begin production by February.
The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh was now planning a Drone City catering to civil and defence applications, and a Space City to encourage private participation in space technology in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.
“Andhra Pradesh is fast emerging as a green energy hub. While India’s target is to produce 500 GW of renewable energy, AP alone has set a goal of 160 GW, combining solar, wind and pumped storage,” he said.
He added that the state was leading in AI, data centres, space, drones, electronics, aerospace, and semiconductors, and would soon develop a Quantum Valley in Amaravati. “Within two years, we aim to produce India’s first quantum computer,” Naidu said.
Asserting that India’s economic growth is unstoppable, the Chief Minister praised Prime Minister Modi’s stable governance and urged European investors to take advantage of Andhra Pradesh’s favourable ecosystem. “If any company comes forward to invest, we will assign an escort officer to fast-track their applications,” he assured.
Earlier, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee lauded Naidu’s visionary leadership and his consistent commitment to economic reform and innovation.
The roundtable was attended by Gevorg Papoyan, Minister of Economy, Republic of Armenia, R Mukundan, President Designate, CII and MD and CEO of Tata Chemicals Limited, Ms Clemence Kopeikin, Chief Impact officer FyrstGen Holding Limited, Switzerland, Bertram Lohmuller, Professor kSDG Technology transfer and leadership, export-Akademie Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Amit Kalyani Chairman, CII Europe council and Vice chairman and Jt Managing Director Bharat Forge
India and Europe, the Chief Minister noted, are witnessing strong growth in renewable energy, technology, and smart manufacturing, and are deepening collaboration to accelerate the green transition through joint funding and innovation partnerships.