IT and Industries Minister Nara Lokesh said the state is preparing to sign a record 410 MoUs valued at ₹9.8 lakh crore during the summit.
Published Nov 07, 2025 | 9:36 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 07, 2025 | 9:36 PM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to position itself as a global investment hub at the 30th CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam from 14 to 15 November, which is expected to draw thousands of delegates and secure record investment commitments. The state government has already cleared projects worth over ₹8 lakh crore and plans to sign 410 new agreements valued at ₹9.8 lakh crore, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Industries Minister Nara Lokesh pitching the state as a fast-track destination for investors.
Andhra Pradesh is pulling out all the stops to make Visakhapatnam the centre of a major investment drive, as the state prepares to host the 30th edition of the CII Partnership Summit from 14 to 15 November.
The high-profile event aims to position the state as a hub of industry, innovation and sustainable development, presenting it as a global destination for investors seeking speed and scale.
It is expected to draw thousands of delegates from India and abroad, setting the stage for a wave of investment pledges, strategic partnerships and sectoral collaborations.
Chairing the 12th meeting of the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) in Amaravati on the morning of Friday, 7 November, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the preparations and directed officials to ensure that foundation stones for key projects are laid before the summit begins.
The SIPB has approved 26 major projects worth ₹1,01,899 crore, expected to create nearly 86,000 jobs. In total, Andhra Pradesh has cleared investments worth over ₹8.08 lakh crore, translating into 7.05 lakh employment opportunities – a figure Naidu described as “just the beginning.”
Meanwhile, IT and Industries Minister Nara Lokesh, speaking in Vijayawada earlier this week, said the state is preparing to sign a record 410 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) valued at ₹9.8 lakh crore during the summit.
“Andhra Pradesh offers the fastest track for investors. If you’re looking for speed, choose AP,” he said, adding that the event would not just be an investment fair but a “catalyst for inclusive growth” and a forum for global dialogue on technology, infrastructure and sustainability.
During recent international roadshows in Dubai and London, Naidu personally reached out to global industry leaders. From boardrooms in Dubai’s skyline to corporate suites in London’s financial district, the Chief Minister pitched Andhra Pradesh as the new destination for global enterprise.
He unveiled investor-friendly policies across 24 sectors—from renewable energy to aerospace—while describing Visakhapatnam as a “city of the future,” a clean, smart and tech-driven metropolis poised to anchor India’s east coast growth story.
Naidu also showcased a major milestone—a ₹20,000 crore MoU with the Hinduja Group—as evidence that Andhra Pradesh’s economic resurgence is already underway.
According to organisers, the summit will feature thematic sessions on trade, innovation, climate action and evolving geo-economic frameworks. Around 300 global industry players from 45 countries and 72 international speakers are expected to attend.
The overarching theme, “The Speed of Doing Business,” reflects Andhra Pradesh’s claim to have secured investment commitments of over ₹8 lakh crore in just 16 months.
For Naidu and Lokesh, the summit is more than another event on the economic calendar; it is a litmus test of their ability to turn vision into momentum.
The Chief Minister has repeatedly emphasised his goal of transforming Andhra Pradesh into a hub for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, aerospace and digital infrastructure, drawing inspiration from successful global models of industrial growth.
Equally significant is the government’s focus on balanced regional development. The SIPB has endorsed a cluster-based industrial strategy to ensure that all districts—from Srikakulam to Anantapur—share in the benefits of growth.
The ₹9.8 lakh crore worth of MoUs slated for signing are projected to generate about 7.5 lakh direct and indirect jobs. Preparations are in full swing, covering everything from venue management and hospitality to urban beautification, cultural showcases and security drills – turning Visakhapatnam into a city ready to welcome the world.
As part of its global outreach, Andhra Pradesh has also held roadshows in Sydney and Dubai, attracting investors eager to tap into the state’s emerging opportunities.
Officials describe the upcoming summit as one of the largest investment events ever hosted by Andhra Pradesh. With industry giants such as Google, TCS, Cognizant and ArcelorMittal already pledging major commitments, expectations are high.
Yet, as seasoned observers caution, “the proof of the pudding lies in the eating.”
The real challenge will begin once the applause fades – converting MoUs into tangible projects amid hurdles such as land acquisition, infrastructure readiness and environmental clearances.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
