The Andhra Pradesh SIPB approved Rs. 30,515 crore investments from 50 companies, expected to create nearly 29,700 jobs as CM Chandrababu Naidu stressed inclusive industrial growth.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday emphasized that industrial growth must benefit the poor and middle class while approving investment proposals worth ₹30,515 crore through the 18th meeting of the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB).
The SIPB approved proposals from 50 companies involving investments of ₹30,515 crore, which are expected to generate 29,677 employment opportunities across the state. Chairing the meeting, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh was witnessing rapid industrial growth and stressed that the benefits should extend beyond large corporations to include entrepreneurs, startups and ordinary citizens.
Naidu directed officials to create an industrial ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurship and supports emerging businesses. He called for stronger support to startups through the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH) and asked officials to facilitate venture capital investments to strengthen the state's innovation ecosystem.
Highlighting the importance of future-ready education, the Chief Minister instructed the Education Department to align academic curricula with emerging industry trends and advanced technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence and automation. He also stressed that only serious investors should be encouraged and directed officials to closely monitor approved projects to ensure timely implementation.
The Chief Minister identified ethanol production as a strategic sector and said Andhra Pradesh should emerge as a leader in biofuel manufacturing. Increased ethanol blending would benefit farmers while reducing India's dependence on imported fuels, he observed. He directed officials to engage with oil marketing companies and encourage investment in ethanol and biofuel industries.
Reviewing the state's energy requirements, Naidu noted that electricity demand had increased by 17 percent this year and called for comprehensive planning to meet future industrial, commercial and IT-sector power needs. He reiterated the state's commitment to achieving its 160 GW green energy vision through solar, wind, pumped storage and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. He also highlighted opportunities in lithium-ion battery manufacturing and electric vehicle charging technologies.
The Chief Minister placed special emphasis on building a strong semiconductor ecosystem and expanding data centre infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. He also proposed the establishment of a Micro-Irrigation Equipment Park to make advanced irrigation technologies more affordable for farmers and support horticulture growth.
Referring to Amaravati's emerging role in advanced technologies, Naidu called for the development of a comprehensive Quantum Valley ecosystem comprising technology parks, quantum computing infrastructure, research facilities and innovation centres. He directed officials to simplify project approvals and land allotments through transparent and automated systems that promote ease of doing business.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state's ambitions in defence, aerospace, tourism and rare earth minerals. He urged officials to expedite plans for the proposed Fifth Generation Fighter Jet Manufacturing and Testing Facility at Puttaparthi and said the Bengaluru-Puttaparthi region could emerge as a major Defence and Aerospace Corridor.
In the tourism sector, he called for accelerated development of hotels, beach resorts and spiritual tourism destinations across the state, including Gandikota, Polavaram, Horsley Hills, Kurnool and Suryalanka Beach. A master plan for Suryalanka tourism development was also proposed.
Naidu further directed officials to ensure affordable housing development near major industrial clusters so that industrial growth directly benefits workers and middle-class families. He also stressed that Andhra Pradesh should emerge as a national hub for rare earth minerals, electronics manufacturing and advanced research.
Minister for IT and HRD Nara Lokesh said incentives should be linked to project grounding and operational performance. He also announced plans to establish a Centre of Excellence for Rare Earth Minerals Research at Andhra University and highlighted the importance of building a strong quantum technology ecosystem in the state.
