South Africa tour of India 2019
Andhra Pradesh Gears Up for Transformation with Mega Investments and Tech-Driven Policies
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, renowned for his role in turning Hyderabad into a global tech hub in the late 1990s, is once again showcasing his dynamic governance style. With a forward-looking agenda focused on innovation and large-scale investments, Naidu, alongside his son and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, is propelling Andhra Pradesh into a new era of economic and technological growth.
Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, has committed an investment of ₹65,000 crore to establish 500 compressed biogas plants across the state. These plants, developed on wastelands at an average cost of ₹130 crore each, align with Andhra Pradesh’s clean energy initiatives and promise 2.5 lakh new jobs, primarily in rural areas. The state's integrated clean energy policy, which provides substantial incentives, has played a pivotal role in securing this project, spearheaded by Anant Ambani.
Tata Power is also making headlines with plans to invest ₹40,000 crore in renewable energy, while Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced the creation of an IT Development Centre in Visakhapatnam, expected to generate 10,000 jobs. Another significant project is AM/NS India's ₹1.4 lakh crore integrated steel plant in Anakapalli district. This joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Japan's Nippon Steel was finalized in a high-profile Zoom meeting between Lokesh and ArcelorMittal CEO Aditya Mittal.
The Lulu Group has also returned to the fold, reconsidering its earlier abandoned ₹2,200 crore investment in Visakhapatnam for an international convention centre, shopping mall, and luxury hotel. This renewed interest signals growing confidence among investors in Andhra Pradesh's pro-business climate under Naidu's leadership.
The state is also pioneering tech-enabled governance, with a recent partnership with Meta to deliver 100 essential services through WhatsApp by November. By integrating generative AI and real-time notifications, Andhra Pradesh aims to enhance public service delivery. Furthermore, the government is setting up a 300-acre drone technology hub near Kurnool, targeting 80% indigenisation in manufacturing and training 35,000 drone pilots to position the state as a leader in this emerging field.
As Chairman of the Jobs Creation Sub-Committee, Lokesh is tasked with creating 2 million jobs over the next five years, leveraging these transformative projects as a foundation. Naidu's ambitious vision extends to attracting ₹30 lakh crore in investments and providing employment to 20 lakh people within the same timeframe.
The state's leadership is sending a strong message to global investors: Andhra Pradesh is open for business and ready to emerge as a premier investment destination in India.
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