Visakhapatnam:Minister N. Lokesh on Thursday urged global investors to relocate their corporate headquarters to Andhra Pradesh, rather than limiting their presence in the state to manufacturing facilities.
Addressing industrial leaders at the 31st CII partnership summit in Visakhapatnam, Lokesh outlined five reasons for companies to establish a long-term presence in the state: quality of life, a skilled workforce, expanding connectivity, an emerging technology ecosystem and investor-friendly governance.
“Do not just build factories here; relocate your headquarters to AP,” Lokesh said.
He said the state offered a high quality of life, with clean air, an extensive coastline and less congestion than in other major metropolitan cities. Educational institutions and ITIs were being aligned with industry requirements to ensure a steady supply of skilled workers, he stated.
Lokesh said AP’s maritime infrastructure was expanding, with four greenfield ports at Ramayapatnam, Mulapeta, Machilipatnam and Kakinada under construction, in addition to the Visakhapatnam Port. These ports were expected to increase cargo-handling capacity.
He also referred to the recently inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram and plans to establish direct international connectivity with destinations in the Gulf and Southeast Asia.
On technology, Lokesh said Visakhapatnam was emerging as a major technology hub. He cited Google’s proposed artificial intelligence hub in the city and the Amaravati Quantum Valley initiative, under which a quantum systems facility involving IBM, TCS and L&T is expected to begin operations by early 2027.
The minister said the state had adopted a governance model centered on “trade, technology and trust”, assuring investors of direct access to decision-makers. “You won’t have to wait months for meetings. The chief minister, ministers and officials are accessible and committed to resolving issues quickly,” he said.
Highlighting the state’s industrial strengths, Lokesh said AP made significant contributions to India’s seafood exports, fruit production, cocoa cultivation, tobacco output, fish production and egg production. He also cited the Kia manufacturing facility in Anantapur and the expanding IT presence in Visakhapatnam, where companies such as Cognizant and TCS had increased their operations.
AP had secured investment commitments worth `22.60 lakh crore since June 2024, Lokesh said. Projects worth 17.20 lakh crore had received approvals, while investments amounting to ` 5.90 lakh crore had reached the construction phase. These projects, he said, have the potential to generate lakhs of jobs.
Citing investments by Raymond Aerospace and Premier Energies, Lokesh said the projects demonstrated the state’s ability to facilitate industrial growth through plug-and-play infrastructure and fast-track clearances.
He announced that the state would soon introduce an Investor Protection Act to strengthen their confidence.
The government would also urge the Centre to consider similar legislation at the national level.
Lokesh invited entrepreneurs to partner in the state’s development, citing speed, stability and service, along with proactive governance and long-term policy certainty.
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