A standout moment of the summit was the dazzling performance of the tourism sector, where 104 MoUs worth ₹17,973 crore were signed, expected to generate 97,876 jobs.
Published Nov 15, 2025 | 8:45 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 15, 2025 | 8:45 PM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with industry leaders at the summit in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh secured investment commitments to the tune of ₹13 lakh crore over the past two days. In 18 months, the total stands at ₹22 lakh crore. Companies from 50 nations will operate out of Sri City, creating employment for 1.5 lakh youth.
Andhra Pradesh has netted investment commitments worth ₹13 lakh crore during the 30th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit, which concluded at the Andhra University College of Engineering ground in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, 15 November.
Speaking at the valedictory session, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the state has won ₹22 lakh crore over the past 18 months.
“Andhra Pradesh secured investment commitments to the tune of ₹13 lakh crore over the past two days. In 18 months, the total stands at ₹22 lakh crore. Companies from 50 nations will operate out of Sri City, creating employment for 1.5 lakh youth,” Naidu said.
The summit’s concluding day unfolded like a beehive of activity, marked by a flurry of MoU signings, virtual inaugurations, and high-powered strategic discussions focusing on tourism, industrial expansion, renewable energy, aviation, and cybersecurity.
Naidu virtually inaugurated five companies at Sri City in Tirupati, laid foundation stones for Raymond Group projects, and announced the allotment of 6,000 acres to transform Sri City into a global industrial powerhouse by 2028.
“For the first time in India, the Andhra Pradesh government has introduced escrow accounts and sovereign guarantees for companies investing in the state,” Naidu said, calling it a game-changing incentive model. “Our goal is to develop Sri City as the country’s premier industrial hub by 2028.”
A standout moment of the summit was the dazzling performance of the tourism sector, where 104 MoUs worth ₹17,973 crore were signed, expected to generate 97,876 jobs — including 34,406 direct and 63,470 indirect — and add 10,690 rooms to the state’s growing hospitality network.
Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh hailed it as a “game-changer,” pointing out that nearly ₹30,000 crore had been mobilised in tourism investments over the past 16 months.
“With technology, trust, and commerce as our pillars, we have signed 104 MoUs worth ₹17,973 crore,” Durgesh said. “This will create 10,690 additional rooms and provide employment for 97,876 people.”
He referred to ₹6,500 crore in summit-specific investments spanning theme parks, marinas, film cities, wellness centres, roadside amenities, cruises, and adventure tourism. The state also attracted ₹1,860 crore in foreign direct investment MoUs — a first for Andhra Pradesh — expected to create 12,500 new jobs.
“Andhra Pradesh’s 1,053-km coastline is its greatest asset,” Durgesh noted. “We aim to position Visakhapatnam as the MICE capital of South India.”
Plans rolled out to develop three coastal tourism circuits through private partnerships, promote Blue Flag-certified beaches such as Rushikonda, and expand marine sports, wellness retreats, and cruise tourism.
“We will make Andhra Pradesh a destination for luxury yachting, connecting not only within India but also across Southeast Asia,” he said.
Durgesh also underscored the state’s rich spiritual, cultural, and Buddhist heritage. “From Tirumala to Amaravati and Thotlakonda, we are prioritising heritage and culture as key pillars of tourism,” he stressed.
On infrastructure, he announced plans for world-class convention centres and exhibition grounds to reinforce Visakhapatnam’s standing as a logistics and MICE hub (M – Meetings, I – Incentives, C – Conferences and E – Exhibitions/Events).
“With new international airports, we will attract global travellers and improve tourism incomes,” he added.
Durgesh explained how emerging IT and AI data centres in Visakhapatnam would create a stable ecosystem for MICE tourism, branding the city as “the Sunrise City.”
Under the new Tourism Policy 2024–2029, nearly ₹12,000 crore in investments have already flowed in, while the summit’s ₹17,973 crore pushes the total close to ₹30,000 crore.
Durgesh gave assurances of speedy implementation and accountability: “From water sports and resorts to art galleries and museums, various tourism experiences are being introduced to delight visitors. By 2047, Andhra Pradesh will stand tall as a global tourism hub.”
He credited the NDA coalition government for elevating Andhra Pradesh’s profile as both an investment magnet and a tourism hotspot.
Naidu, reinforcing Sri City’s role as a cornerstone of Andhra Pradesh’s industrial vision, announced the allocation of 6,000 acres to develop it into a global template for future industrial townships.
Twelve companies sealed MoUs worth ₹2,320 crore in engineering, food processing, and pharmaceuticals, collectively expected to generate 12,365 jobs. Plans are also on the anvil for an airstrip near the township.
“Sri City will be a model of industrial development,” Naidu said. “Companies from over 50 countries will operate here, generating 1.5 lakh jobs.”
Calling Sri City the “best industrial township in India,” he credited the contributions of companies such as Daikin, Isuzu, and Cadbury, which export to global markets from their AP units.
“We have cleared ₹8.87 lakh crore in proposals from companies across healthcare, engineering, electronics, automotive, and medical devices sectors from countries including Belgium, Japan, the UK, Germany, and Australia,” the chief minister noted.
Giving a major fillip to Rayalaseema’s industrial thrust, the Raymond Group signed MoUs for three marquee projects totalling ₹1,201 crore and aimed at generating 6,500 jobs. These include:
Naidu virtually laid the foundation stones, recalling the region’s earlier industrial triumphs such as the Kia plant.
“We are setting up Drone City, Space City, and Aerospace and Defence corridors in Rayalaseema. Now, Raymond joins this transformation,” he said. “Our goal is to create 20 lakh jobs in the next three to four years.”
Raymond Group CEO Goutam Maini commended the state’s efficiency. “Clearances are swift and the industrial policies are forward-looking,” he said, confirming the company’s expansion into aerospace and defence manufacturing.
AI university: Naidu proposed establishing a world-class AI University on the lines of Abu Dhabi’s, inviting LG Chem’s Yunjo Ko to collaborate. He also suggested creating a naphtha cracker and polymers complex at Kakinada or Mulapet and promised support for a cathode active material unit.
Tourism infrastructure: Meetings with Atmosphere Core executives Souvagya Mohapatra and Salil Panigrahi explored luxury hotels in Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, and Amaravati. Naidu also pitched adventure, hill, and fort tourism projects in Gandikota, Araku–Anantagiri, and Bobbili–Vizianagaram.
Green energy & fertilisers: Discussions with IFFCO Chairman Dileep Nanubhai Sanghania touched upon green ammonia, hydrogen-based fertilisers, and bio-stimulants to support farmers.
Cybersecurity: An MoU with the World Economic Forum sought to boost cyber resilience in the energy sector. “We aim to produce 160 GW of green power at the lowest cost,” Naidu said. “By reducing generation and transmission costs, consumers will benefit.”
Srikakulam greenfield airport: An MoU between AAI and AP Airport Development Corporation, in the presence of Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu, focused on enhancing North Andhra’s connectivity, with site inspections and infrastructure planning already underway.
Cruise tourism: Naidu also sought Cordelia Cruises’ collaboration to develop world-class beach and marine tourism across Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Bhimunipatnam.
The summit hosted 67 sessions, delegates from 60 countries, over 700 B2B meetings, and participation from more than 30 ministers.
“Like Davos, we exchanged not only investments but also ideas,” Naidu observed.
Urging continuity, he invited participants to return next year. “I urge all industrialists to visit Andhra Pradesh frequently and participate in the next investment summit,” he said.
Synchronising the state’s path with the national vision, Naidu stressed, “With the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stable governments at both the Centre and state, we are committed to fulfilling the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047.”
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
