The 2025 Partnership Summit, co-hosted with CII and the Union Commerce Ministry, will spotlight trade, sustainability, and innovation. In Singapore, Chandrababu Naidu promoted it as a catalyst for global partnerships
Published Jul 29, 2025 | 8:01 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 29, 2025 | 8:01 PM
Andhra Pradesh: Nara Lokesh to lead a GoM for the state's prestigious Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh IT and HR Minister Nara Lokesh has been appointed head of the Group of Ministers (GoM) for the upcoming Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on 14–15 November 2025. While accompanying CM Chandrababu Naidu in Singapore to attract investors, Lokesh’s new role underscores his growing influence. The summit aims to project AP as a global investment destination
Andhra Pradesh IT and Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh has got another push helping his rise in the government. He will now head a Group of Ministers (GoM) for the state government’s prestigious Partnership Summit scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam on 14 and 15 November, 2025.
Even as Lokesh is having a busy schedule in Singapore along with Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, trying to get the industrialists interested in Andhra Pradesh, orders have been issued back in Amaravati on the constitution of committees of which GoM is the most crucial for the summit.
The purpose of the partnership summit to position the state as a global investment hub. Chief Secretary K Vijayanand issued a GO on Tuesday, 29 July, constituting multiple committees of which group of ministers was one.
The Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by Lokesh will guide the summit’s execution. Other members of GoM include T.G. Bharath (Industries & Commerce), Gottipati Ravi Kumar (Energy), Kandula Durgesh (Tourism), Ponguru Narayana (MA&UD), and Kandlapalli Srinivas (MS&ME).
A Working Committee, led by Chief Secretary K Vijayanand, includes key officials like the Director General of Police, Principal Secretaries, and the Visakhapatnam District Collector, with the Secretary of Industries & Commerce as the convenor.
This summit is expected to build on the success of previous summits in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2023. it is aimed at attracting global leaders, policymakers, and investors to become partners in Andhra Pradesh’s development.
The Partnership Summit 2025, is being organised in collaboration with CII and the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It will focus on trade, industrialization, sustainability, climate action, technology, innovation, and inclusive growth.
Chandrababu Naidu, who is touring Singapore, promoted the summit during the Andhra Pradesh-Singapore Business Forum, stressing the role of fostering partnerships.
Specialised committees have been formed to ensure seamless operations. They are Protocol, Reception, Accommodation, Transport, and Logistics Committee, chaired by the Principal Secretary (Poll), GAD, which will manage VVIP arrangements, airport coordination, and accommodation, Security & Traffic Management Committee, led by the Additional Director General (Law & Order) will oversee VVIP security, route planning, and police escorts.
The other committees are: City Beautification Committee, under the Principal Secretary (MA&UD), will enhance Visakhapatnam’s aesthetics through road upgrades, signage, and cleanliness drives, cultural Committee, headed by the Special Chief Secretary (Tourism), will organise cultural performances to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s heritage, Media & Publicity Committee, led by the Commissioner of I&PR, will handle press coordination and summit promotion.
There will also be an Exhibition Committee and Investment Promotion Committee, chaired by the Secretary (Mines & Geology) and Principal Secretary to CM, respectively, to focus on investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh and showcase the state’s potential, and Business Alliances/Development Committee, also led by the Principal Secretary to the CM, to facilitate B2B and G2B meetings with global delegations.
The summit is expected to bolster Andhra Pradesh’s investment climate, leveraging its 974-km coastline, industrial corridors, and its top ranking in Ease of Doing Business.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
