Andhra Pradesh Pitched As Global Manufacturing Hub At Vizag Summit

Union and state ministers pitched Andhra Pradesh as a top destination for global manufacturing at the Confederation of Indian Industry regional summit held in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

Growth And Investments

Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu stated that India is growing at a 7.8% GDP rate while Andhra Pradesh accelerates under national and state leadership. Officials reported that the state has pulled in ₹8.67 lakh crore in investment proposals across 216 mega projects over the past two years. Foreign direct investment jumped from $92 million in 2023-24 to $608 million in 2025-26. Major companies like Google, ArcelorMittal-Nippon Steel, NTPC, Tata Power, and Reliance have made large financial commitments, and 31 Memorandums of Understanding were exchanged at the event.

Infrastructure Push

Ministers highlighted steps to cut red tape through the APIAIC single-window clearance system, promising transparent approvals within six to 12 months. Infrastructure progress includes the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, finished in 31 months, alongside site clearances for airports in Kuppam and Srikakulam. The state is also building a drone city in Kurnool, an aerospace hub in Puttaparthi, and a trainer aircraft manufacturing unit in Kuppam, while aiming to train 5,000 aviation professionals. Infrastructure Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy pointed out that the state road network covers 1.6 lakh km, with road and port projects underway including the ₹31,000 crore Amaravati Outer Ring Road and three greenfield ports at Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam, and Mulapeta.

Context

Regional economic summits are frequently used by state governments to showcase industrial policies, attract private capital, and speed up project approvals through dedicated single-window systems. These gatherings bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and local businesses to foster trade partnerships and boost manufacturing output across various sectors.