AP CM Naidu pitches ‘Build AP’ vision, seeks Centre’s support for convention centre in Amaravati
New Delhi, Oct 8 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said the state government was moving ahead with the ‘Build AP’ mantra to make Andhra Pradesh a preferred destination for investments and employment, and sought the Centre’s support to establish an international-standard convention centre in Amaravati.
Addressing the CII Partnership Summit-2026 Curtain Raiser programme along with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Naidu said MoUs worth Rs 13.50 lakh crore were signed at last year’s summit, while the state had secured investments worth Rs 22 lakh crore during the past 28 months.
He said major companies, including Google and ArcelorMittal, were setting up projects in Andhra Pradesh, including a 1 GW data centre.
The industrial incentives escrow account would be launched on November 12 and 13, he added.
Naidu said the repeal of the NALA Act, which had been an impediment to investments, would facilitate faster development.
The state was adopting a “Speed of Doing Business” approach to tap opportunities in agriculture, industry and services, he said.
He said the proposed interlinking of the Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Tungabhadra and Cauvery rivers would help address water scarcity in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister said the government was working to transform Rayalaseema into a Global Horticulture Hub and make Andhra Pradesh a gateway to Southeast Asia.
On green energy, he said the state had set a target of 500 GW, with agreements already signed for 110 GW. A Green Energy Transmission Corridor was also being planned.
Naidu said Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd had come forward to establish a shipbuilding centre at Dugarajapatnam, while Goa Shipyard had agreed to set up a facility at Machilipatnam.
Drone and electronics clusters had been established at Tirupati, Lepakshi and Kopparthi, he added.
He said AI-based technologies, including Data Lake, were being used for faster decision-making and in GST collections.
The government was also designing school-level curriculum to equip students with skills in AI and industrial and commercial sectors.
Naidu said products made by DWCRA women’s groups would be promoted in international markets under a dedicated brand.
He also highlighted the state’s blue economy potential and said quantum computing activities in Amaravati would commence from February next year.
He said a Global Leadership Centre was being developed in Amaravati and that Bhogapuram International Airport had become operational.
The Chief Minister requested the Union Government to establish an international-standard convention centre in Amaravati for hosting CII Partnership Summits.
He said the Centre was extending financial assistance for Polavaram, Amaravati capital development and other projects, and had approved semiconductor units in Visakhapatnam and other parts of the state.
Goyal said Andhra Pradesh had a crucial role in India’s development journey and recalled its historical maritime trade links, referring to the ship symbol found on coins issued during the Satavahana period.
He said Andhra Pradesh continued to be associated with entrepreneurs and industrialists and praised Mr Naidu for embracing technology and creating opportunities in the state.
The Union Minister highlighted the upcoming Google data centre in Visakhapatnam and the Quantum Computing Valley in Amaravati, and said the Centre and states were working together as Team India to promote development and investment.
He said the NDA government was advancing the principles of Atmanirbharta, Atmavishwas and Atmaraksha.
TNT KS
