On November 3, 2025, Andhra Pradesh’s IT and Human Resources Development Minister, Nara Lokesh, held a press conference at his camp office in Vijayawada to highlight the state government’s ongoing efforts in investment mobilisation, business facilitation, and skill development. The conference also served as a platform to announce the upcoming Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2025, which is scheduled to take place in Visakhapatnam on November 14 and 15. Minister Lokesh was joined by fellow Cabinet members Kollu Ravindra (Mines), Gottipati Ravi Kumar (Energy), Kondapalli Srinivas (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises), and Secretary of Industries & Commerce, N. Yuvaraj.
Minister Lokesh emphasized that Andhra Pradesh’s reputation for a high “Speed of Doing Business” (SoDB) has become a cornerstone of the state’s investment strategy. According to him, this efficient business environment, coupled with the industry-friendly image cultivated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over the years, has been pivotal in making Andhra Pradesh a preferred destination for companies compared to other Indian states. The government’s consistent focus on streamlining processes and creating a conducive atmosphere for industries has attracted significant investments, including from global giants such as Google and ArcelorMittal.
The upcoming CII Partnership Summit 2025 is poised to be a landmark event aimed at further strengthening the state’s economic growth trajectory. Minister Lokesh announced that the summit is expected to witness the signing of 410 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with a total investment potential of ₹9.80 lakh crore (approximately $120 billion). These investments are projected to generate around 750,000 new jobs in the state, indicating a substantial boost to employment opportunities across various sectors.
Importantly, the Minister underlined that the summit is not merely about attracting investments but is designed as a tripartite partnership involving the government, corporate entities, and the people of Andhra Pradesh. The central theme of the event is “shared prosperity,” reflecting the government’s vision of inclusive growth that benefits all sections of society. During the two-day summit, foundations for projects worth ₹2.70 lakh crore will be laid, signaling the immediate commencement of significant industrial and infrastructure developments.
The summit program is extensive and well-structured, featuring 48 sessions that include a plenary session, 27 technical sessions, 3 standalone sessions, and 11 sessions focused specifically on state-level issues. The event is expected to attract over 300 delegates from 45 countries, including members of the G20, underscoring the global interest in Andhra Pradesh’s investment climate. Additionally, 72 international speakers will participate, sharing insights on a broad spectrum of topics ranging from emerging technologies to sustainable development.
When questioned about inter-state competition in attracting investments, Minister Lokesh expressed a positive outlook. He acknowledged that several Indian states are offering competitive incentives to lure businesses but stressed the importance of healthy competition. He emphasized that Andhra Pradesh welcomes this environment without resorting to negative remarks about others, as the ultimate goal is to strengthen India’s overall economic resilience and global standing.
The Minister also elaborated on the sectors where Andhra Pradesh is currently seeing strong investment interest. These include renewable energy, semiconductors, electronics, steel production, port infrastructure, agri-technology, drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum technologies. This diversification highlights the state’s commitment to fostering innovation and aligning its economic growth with future-oriented industries. Parallel to this, the government is prioritizing skill development to ensure that the youth are adequately trained and ready to meet industry demands. Minister Lokesh stated that a range of skill development initiatives has been launched because the state cannot afford to lag behind in preparing a competent workforce.
Addressing concerns related to the new ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) plant near Anakapalli and its potential impact on the existing Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), the Minister adopted a pragmatic stance. He asserted that competition is healthy and can drive improvements and efficiencies within businesses. Furthermore, he highlighted the government’s efforts to protect VSP’s interests by preventing its privatization and securing a revival package in collaboration with the Central government. On the sensitive issue of non-regularization of contract workers at the steel plant, Minister Lokesh remarked that steel production is a business enterprise and should be managed with commercial viability in mind rather than as a charitable endeavor.