The CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam has brought major investment announcements for Andhra Pradesh. One of the biggest highlights is Kia India’s plan to invest around Rs 17,000 crore through an additional manufacturing plant in the state. The expansion is expected to create 12,000 jobs and increase the company’s annual production capacity from 4.3 lakh vehicles to 6.3 lakh vehicles.
Announcing the proposal at the summit, Kia India CEO Gwanggu Lee said the new investment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to India and Andhra Pradesh. He recalled how Kia established its first manufacturing facility in the state in 2017 and appreciated the support extended by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The existing plant has already exported more than 4.1 lakh vehicles and kits to 100 countries.
The announcement fits into Naidu’s larger vision of making Andhra Pradesh a leading destination for global investments. Speaking at the summit, he said India could achieve more than 10% economic growth by making the most of opportunities in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Looking ahead to 2047, Naidu outlined three goals:
India becoming the world’s largest economy, Andhra Pradesh emerging as the country’s leading state and Telugu people establishing a strong global presence.
He also introduced the idea of P4, or Public-Private-People Partnership. He urged companies to go beyond business profits and use their knowledge, resources and expertise to improve the lives of ordinary people. Economic growth, he said, should create opportunities for everyone rather than benefit only a few.
Naidu also highlighted that 58% of the companies that signed investment MoUs in 2024 had moved to the project implementation stage. He said investment promises must translate into factories, production and jobs. Another key announcement was the proposed Investment Protection Act. The legislation is intended to protect investors from policy uncertainty even when governments change. The state is also planning an escrow system to ensure that promised incentives reach companies without unnecessary delays.
With Kia‘s proposed expansion and a wider investment push, Andhra Pradesh is looking to strengthen its manufacturing base and create more employment opportunities. Naidu urged businesses to look beyond setting up factories and consider making the state their corporate home.
