CII Summit: Nara Lokesh’s Investment Pitch for Andhra Pradesh

Nara Lokesh Andhra Pradesh Investment Push

At the CII International Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, IT and Industries Minister Nara Lokesh invited industrial leaders to make Andhra Pradesh their preferred destination for investment.

Lokesh highlighted the state’s strengths, including its long coastline, major ports, Bhogapuram International Airport and growing industrial infrastructure. He said Visakhapatnam was emerging as an important IT destination, with major projects such as Google’s proposed AI hub adding to its potential.

The minister revealed that Andhra Pradesh had received investment commitments worth Rs 22.6 lakh crore since June 2024. Projects worth Rs 17.2 lakh crore had received approvals, while investments worth Rs 5.9 lakh crore had moved into the implementation stage.

He also pointed to the state’s strong position in sectors such as seafood exports, agriculture, food processing, automobiles and air-conditioning manufacturing. Andhra Pradesh is already a major contributor to India’s shrimp exports and dried chilli production. The state also has a growing presence in the automobile export market.

Nara Lokesh said the government was working to make investment easier through faster approvals and a more transparent incentive system. An escrow-based mechanism would help ensure that industrial incentives reach companies directly. The government is also planning an Investor Protection Act to strengthen confidence among businesses.

His message to investors was clear. Companies should not limit themselves to setting up factories in Andhra Pradesh. They should consider moving their corporate headquarters to the state as well.

Nara Lokesh said, “speed, stability and service” are the three principles guiding the government’s industrial policy. He assured investors that he would remain directly accessible to resolve their problems and ensure projects move forward without unnecessary delays.

Andhra Pradesh has set an ambitious target of attracting Rs 12 lakh crore in investments through the Visakhapatnam summit. The government expects these projects to create around two lakh employment opportunities.