Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said the World Economic Forum (WEF) provides a crucial platform to understand emerging global trade trends while also helping states attract investments. He said the Andhra Pradesh government is focusing on branding the state globally to draw increased investments. Interacting with international media representatives—including Tim Howat (TIME), Jeanette Rodrigues (Bloomberg), Alok Nayar (Business Today) and Ayush Ailawadi (NDTV)—on the third day of the WEF session, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh is an industry-friendly state, offering speedy approvals to companies. He added that incentives such as escrow accounts are being provided to attract investments and promote industrialisation, and that the government will monitor investment proposals in real time. Naidu said IT Minister Nara Lokesh played a key role in bringing a Google AI data centre to Visakhapatnam through sustained follow-ups. Highlighting the government’s focus on technology-driven growth, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh is promoting AgriTech to modernise the agriculture sector. He added that the state has signed MoUs to export green ammonia to various countries. Alongside job creation across sectors, the government is prioritising the development of Amaravati as a green and blue capital city, with efforts underway to establish a Global Leadership Centre there. Later, several global entrepreneurs met the Chief Minister to discuss investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh. Tamara Hospitality Founder and Executive Chairperson Shruti Shibulal met Naidu to explore opportunities in the hospitality sector. The Chief Minister said the state has granted industry status to tourism to boost tourism and hospitality development. He highlighted the potential for Godavari river cruise tourism from Polavaram to Bhadrachalam, along with opportunities in Konaseema, Gandikota, Araku and Lambasingi. With improved road and airport connectivity near tourist destinations, he said Andhra Pradesh is now open for tourism investments. He noted that every district—from North Andhra to Rayalaseema—has tourism potential and assured government support to the hotel industry.
33
