Chandrababu Naidu meets Singapore PM Lawrence Wong, seeks partnership in semiconductors and AI
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday, June 15, 2026, and discussed the partnership between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, research and advanced manufacturing on the first day of his visit to Singapore.
Mr Naidu said the discussions also covered university partnerships, urban management, logistics, natural farming, aquaculture, food exports, healthcare, clean energy and green hydrogen. He said he briefed Mr Wong on Amaravati’s development as a capital city with world-class infrastructure and institutions and invited Singapore’s government-affiliated companies to partner in its growth. The Prime Minister said he appreciated Mr Wong’s vision and progress and expressed confidence in Amaravati’s potential.
In his maiden meeting, Mr Naidu met Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Shilpak Ambule and discussed the deepening economic and trade ties between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh. Mr Ambule outlined Singapore’s economic and trade relationship with India and expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Indian states.
Mr Naidu urged Singaporean companies to explore investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh, citing the State’s strengths in food processing, electronics, semiconductors and quantum technologies. He said the state offers opportunities to establish Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in shipbuilding and civil aviation. He said about two million acres of land have been brought under natural cultivation and the state’s farmers are producing horticultural products with export potential.
“We are working to ensure full traceability in the food sector. Andhra Pradesh is looking for collaboration in robotics, medical devices, hardware and electronics manufacturing. Our youth are well positioned to meet the talent requirements of Singapore’s technology sector,” he said.
Mr. Naidu credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating an investor-friendly ecosystem through policy reforms and streamlined governance. He said that investments are the key to development, wealth creation and employment, and added that India has become one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. He also sought greater academic collaboration between Singapore universities and institutions in Andhra Pradesh.
Mr Ambule said Singapore is a global leader in green energy and semiconductor ecosystems and assured support to facilitate investments and partnerships in Andhra Pradesh.
Round table meeting with startups
Later, Mr. Naidu attended a roundtable discussion with startup founders and venture capitalists, attended by Mr. Ambule, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana and venture capital investors.
The Prime Minister said India is no longer a sleeper economy but a rapidly transforming economic powerhouse driven by reforms and innovations. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is progressing at an extraordinary pace. It took countries like China decades to reach the current level of economic growth, but India is progressing much faster,” he said.
Mr. Naidu noted India’s growing capabilities in medical technology, advanced manufacturing, electronics exports and defense production, including the development of fifth-generation fighter jets, and described the country’s young population as its greatest strength.
He outlined Andhra Pradesh’s industrial and entrepreneurship policies, including the ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’ initiative, and said the State was using an innovative land-sharing model for industrial projects, similar to the approach adopted for Amaravati. He said the state has shown its commitment to investments by providing fast approvals and land allocations to companies such as Google and ArcelorMittal.
“It is high time for investors to set up industrial projects in Andhra Pradesh. Industrial hubs like Sri City continue to attract large-scale investments and provide world-class infrastructure,” he said.
Referring to the Ratan Tata Innovation Centre, Mr. Naidu invited venture capital firms to partner with startups in the ecosystem and support them with funding and mentorship. He urged venture capitalists to support path-breaking innovations and help make Andhra Pradesh a leading startup and technology destination.
Negotiations with UN-Habitat
Mr Naidu met UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach in Singapore and discussed cooperation on sustainable urban development, climate change resilience and building future-ready cities in Andhra Pradesh, he said. The discussions focused on developing Amaravati as a model for sustainable and inclusive urban development.
He said the two discussed integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into urban planning, leveraging UN-Habitat’s expertise and networks, establishing partnerships with international universities and establishing a Center of Excellence for Urban Affairs in Amaravati. Mr. Naidu said the State shares the vision of building Amaravati as a net-zero, knowledge-driven city powered by green energy, and the duo discussed a structured framework to position it as a case study in sustainable urban transformation.
It was published – 15 June 2026 12:13 IST
