Nara Lokesh Pitches For AP As India's Reliable Korean Investment Destination

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has intensified its global investment outreach on Thursday with Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh holding a series of high-level meetings in Seoul to attract Korean investments in electric vehicles, semiconductors, display manufacturing, data centres, green energy and advanced technology sectors.

During discussions with Kia Motors executive vice-president (global operations) Tae Hun Lee and the company's senior leadership, Lokesh urged the automobile major to expand its presence in Andhra Pradesh by establishing an integrated electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid vehicle manufacturing hub.

He proposed setting up a completely knocked down (CKD) assembly and export centre near Visakhapatnam Port to serve global markets, besides an EV components manufacturing facility for battery systems, charging electronics and E-GMP platform components. He also sought an EV powertrain testing and vehicle homologation centre in the state.

Kia said it would examine the proposals with its senior management before taking a decision.

Lokesh later met South Korea's vice minister for political and foreign affairs, Eui-hae Cecilia Chung, and projected Andhra Pradesh as India's most reliable destination for Korean investors. He said the state's 3S policy — Speed, Stability and Service — offers a secure investment ecosystem backed by tax incentives, affordable industrial land and investor-friendly subsidies.

Seeking stronger institutional ties, Lokesh proposed the creation of an Andhra Pradesh-Korea investment desk and a Korean cultural centre in the state, as also Korean language centres in universities, direct air connectivity, and annual economic partnership dialogues.

He also invited South Korea to collaborate in establishing joint skill development academies to train AP youth in Korean industrial standards, language and work culture before industries commence operations.

The minister also invited Sunic Systems Co Ltd, a global manufacturer of semiconductor, OLED and perovskite deposition equipment, to establish a display equipment manufacturing unit at Sri City. He promise support through a joint venture, incentives under the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the state's semiconductor and display fabrication policy, besides partnerships with universities for semiconductor skill development programmes.

Sunic Systems CEO, SW Chung, said the company would study the proposal.

In another key meeting with South Korea's vice minister for international trade and investments, Kamchan Kang, Lokesh sought strategic cooperation to transform AP into a knowledge economy under the Swarna Andhra-2047 vision. He requested collaboration in deep-tech education, student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cyber security, electronics, semiconductors, shipbuilding, clean technology and health technology.

The minister also proposed the establishment of a dedicated Korean industrial park in Andhra Pradesh with plug-and-play infrastructure, single-window clearances and a specialised Korea desk. He invited Korean participation in developing the state's proposed 10 GW data centre infrastructure, renewable energy projects, logistics, shipbuilding and infrastructure sectors.

Highlighting Andhra Pradesh's six operational ports, seven airports and four upcoming Greenfield ports, Lokesh said the state offers unmatched export connectivity and has attracted over $240 billion in investment commitments during the past two years.

The AP minister invited leading Korean companies to invest in solar, wind, green hydrogen, pumped storage, battery manufacturing and other clean energy sectors, saying such partnerships would accelerate employment generation, technological innovation and sustainable growth while strengthening India-South Korea economic ties.