Andhra Pradesh has taken up with the Union government Google’s key concern—taxation stability—while offering incentives and a business-friendly ecosystem.
Published Apr 28, 2025 | 6:55 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 28, 2025 | 6:56 PM
Synopsis: Efforts to bring Google to the state began in December last year when the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centre and Cloud Data Centre in Visakhapatnam.
Google will position Visakhapatnam as a global hub for cloud data services once the tech giant establishes its facility in the port city, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Monday, 28 April.
“Andhra Pradesh will transform into a knowledge economy,” Naidu said after inaugurating the Landmark Academic and Hostel Blocks & V-Launchpad 2025 at VIT-AP University in Amaravati.
Efforts to bring Google to the state began in December last year when the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centre and Cloud Data Centre in Visakhapatnam. The state government has been actively pursuing this initiative to transform Visakhapatnam into a global technology and AI hub.
The agreement was signed on 11 December following discussions between Chief Minister Naidu, IT Minister Nara Lokesh, and Bikash Koley, Vice-President of Google Global Networking and Infrastructure.
Google identified Andhra Pradesh, particularly Visakhapatnam, as an ideal location for its cloud data center, given the growing demand for secure and efficient cloud services across IT, banking, healthcare, and startups. The facility is expected to leverage AI and machine learning (ML) applications.
Beyond cloud services, Google is considering Visakhapatnam for future investments in deep tech and undersea internet cables. The company has also expressed interest in laying a dedicated optical fiber network to connect the city globally.
As part of the MoU, Google will collaborate with the state to train 10,000 students in AI and cloud certifications, support startups through mentorship and cloud credits, and assist the government with AI-driven solutions in healthcare, environmental sustainability, agriculture, traffic management, and disaster response.
Andhra Pradesh has taken up with the Union government Google’s key concern—taxation stability—while offering incentives and a business-friendly ecosystem.
IT Minister Lokesh played a pivotal role in securing Google’s investment. His visit to Google’s US campus in October 2024, including meetings with Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, paved the way for the signing of the MoU.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
