Andhra Pradesh Positioned as a Business Hub: Nara Lokesh Highlights State's Industrial Growth Plans

In a recent address at the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum - India Leadership Summit in New Delhi, Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Information Technology and Human Resources Development, emphasized that Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) is rapidly becoming a prime destination for businesses. Lokesh stated that A.P. offers superior incentives for setting up industries, backed by significant geographical advantages, positioning the state for rapid development.

Lokesh expressed optimism about achieving the ambitious target of creating 20 lakh jobs for the youth with the support of the private sector and the state’s forward-looking policies. He highlighted the state’s proactive stance towards fostering start-ups, stressing that "Startup Andhra" is more than just a slogan—it’s a transformative approach to governance.

During the e-summit chaired by John Chambers, Chairman of the Forum and founder of JC-2 Ventures, Lokesh discussed the accelerated social and economic development in Andhra Pradesh. He shared that the revival of the Economic Development Board and the creation of an advisory council with private-sector experts are part of the government’s efforts to streamline industrial growth. A new Single Point of Contact System has also been introduced to expedite industry permissions, with progress being tracked through an online platform.

Further, Lokesh shed light on the state’s first-ever skill census, an initiative collecting household and education data at a micro-level. This effort aims to align the state’s workforce with job creation targets, contributing to the goal of providing 20 lakh jobs over the next five years. He linked this initiative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of "Viksit Bharat," with Andhra Pradesh setting its own goal of achieving "Viksit Andhra Pradesh" by 2047.

Focusing on industrial development, Lokesh underscored the importance of accelerating the "Speed of Doing Business" to drive growth and lift citizens out of poverty by creating wealth. He praised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s efforts, particularly in boosting Hyderabad’s IT sector during the Y2K era, and emphasized plans to further develop Visakhapatnam as a hub for IT, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, while Amaravati is envisioned to become a world-class capital city.

In addition, Chandrababu Naidu announced the establishment of the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub in Amaravati. This hub will foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem, support innovation, and mentor start-ups, with plans to connect it to five regional centers across the state.

The state's recent electoral victory, securing 164 out of 175 seats, signals a renewed responsibility to meet the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh, Lokesh concluded.