Vizag to be developed as a trillion-dollar economic corridor: Nara Lokesh

Amaravati, Oct 20: Andhra Pradesh’s state government aims to transform Visakhapatnam into a trillion-dollar economic corridor, announced State Education, IT, and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday.

Highlighting the state’s success in securing over Rs. 10 lakh crore in investments within just 16 months, Lokesh emphasized Andhra Pradesh’s goal of becoming a $2.4 trillion economy by 2047.

He made these remarks during the CII Partnership Summit Roadshow in Sydney, part of his Australian visit to invite investors to the Partnership Summit set for November 14-15 in Visakhapatnam.

According to his office, Lokesh pursued collaborations across academia, industry, and skills development during his Australian tour. His agenda focused on positioning Andhra Pradesh as India’s emerging hub for innovation and investment.

Lokesh spotlighted Visakhapatnam’s rapid growth as a data and industrial center, citing the state’s robust infrastructure, 1,051 km coastline, and investor-friendly policies as key advantages for potential partners.

“When you sign an MoU with Andhra Pradesh, it immediately becomes our shared project. We provide end-to-end support through expedited approvals and dedicated hand-holding,” Lokesh assured attendees.

The Minister stressed the government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency, noting that proactive monitoring—including daily WhatsApp updates involving ministers—ensures smooth project execution.

Lokesh highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s competitive edge for global investors, citing visionary leadership, streamlined reforms, young talent pools, and a proven execution record. He referenced Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s previous success in developing Hyderabad.

Calling for firsthand evaluations of Andhra Pradesh’s potential, Lokesh invited participation in the state’s mission to generate 2 million jobs within five years. “As Indian states compete for investments, India strengthens. This is the new India—reforming ambitiously toward a $30 trillion economy under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance,” he stated.

At the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Lokesh explored academic partnerships for joint degree programs, student exchanges, and skills development in STEM, AI, and renewable energy fields.

The Minister advocated for collaborative research between UNSW and Andhra Pradesh universities to address sustainability challenges in agriculture and water management, while seeking UNSW’s expertise to establish state innovation hubs.

Discussions also covered potential cooperation in public health, telemedicine, smart city development, and data-driven governance solutions.

UNSW representatives highlighted their global ranking among the top 50 universities and their achievements in solar-powered vehicles, quantum computing, and medical advancements. The institution expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Andhra Pradesh in research, technology transfer, and student engagement.

–IANS

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