Lokesh Projects AP As Investment Hub, Meets 17 Industry Leaders in Kolkata
Vijayawada: Education Minister Nara Lokesh launched an aggressive investment support campaign in Kolkata on Friday, holding meetings with 17 leading industrialists and company heads and urging them to be partners in the state’s industrial transformation.
Attending the general meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Lokesh showcased Andhra Pradesh as one of the most investor-friendly destinations. The Minister met individually with 13 major industrialists and businessmen, then interacted with representatives of many other companies and evaluated opportunities in the steel, clean energy, electronics, chemicals, agriculture and hospitality sectors.
Among those he met were Visa Steel vice-chairman Vishal Agarwal, Emami group director Aditya Agarwal, Shree Cement vice-chairman Prashant Bangur, ITC chairman Sanjiv Puri, Vikram Solar chairman Gyanesh Chaudhary, CEO Arun Mittal, Himadri Specialty Chemicals CMD Anurag Choudhary and executives from Shyam Metalics, Super Smelters and Rashmi Metaliks.
Nara Lokesh highlighted the state’s strengths such as long coastline, world-class ports, thriving logistics network, industrial corridors, land and energy availability and investor-friendly policies. He said Andhra Pradesh is strategically implementing reforms to attract investments, create employment and become a leading manufacturing and industrial hub.
The Minister said that work on the integrated steel plant to be established by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel near Anakapalli has started and the state is positioned as a major steel production center. He invited metal and steel companies to set up EV grade aluminum production units, integrated steel plants and ductile iron pipe plants in AP.
In talks with ITC, Lokesh sought investment in crop value chain clusters, climate resilient agriculture, agroforestry and model village initiatives. He noted that nearly 220 national and international companies have signed agreements to set up industries in Visakhapatnam and have started implementation.
The minister also talked about Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious renewable energy programme, targeting 78.5 gw capacity in the next five years, investments worth Rs 10 lakh crore and creating 7.5 lakh jobs. He urged Vikram Solar to set up an integrated solar power hub in Rayalaseema and expand its energy storage operations.
To strengthen the state’s electric mobility ecosystem, Lokesh invited Himadri Specialty Chemicals to set up a silicon-carbon anode unit and advanced materials research facility in Andhra Pradesh.
Industrialists attending the meetings appreciated the proactive industrial policies of the state and assured the minister that they would examine the investment proposals presented to them. Later, Lokesh visited the famous Kali temple in Kolkata and offered special prayers for the progress and prosperity of AP.
