ArcelorMittal to Start Steel Plant Work in February: Naidu

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday announced that the foundation for the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant in Anakapalli will be laid after February 15.

Naidu stepped up his efforts at the World Economic Forum meet in Davos, on his third day there, to draw large-scale global investments into AP. He held a series of meetings with global industrial leaders.

At the AP Lounge at the WEF venue, the CM met Lakshmi Mittal, executive chairman of ArcelorMittal, to review progress on the proposed plant at Anakapalli. The project, with an initial investment of about `60,000 crore, would be a major industrial anchor for the future growth of north Andhra.

Naidu reviewed the status of approvals and land acquisition with officials in the presence of the company’s senior executives. He directed that all statutory clearances be completed well before the proposed groundbreaking. “There should be no delay in extending government support or permissions. If required, teams must go to Delhi and secure all central approvals expeditiously,” he said.

The CM assigned ministers Nara Lokesh and TG Bharat to closely monitor the process.

ArcelorMittal CEO Aditya Mittal appreciated the proactive role played by Lokesh, noting continuous coordination and oversight from the state government.

Naidu also met Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of state for foreign trade, and discussed a broad roadmap for cooperation in food systems, logistics, renewable energy and advanced technologies.

The two leaders explored a proposal to establish a Dubai Food Cluster in Andhra Pradesh and exchanged views on agri-tech, food-tech, aqua-tech, food parks and food security initiatives.

Naidu highlighted AP’s strong logistics backbone—ports, airports, road and rail networks—and its linkage to national industrial corridors, which together “enable swift movement of food and agri-exports.”

He invited leading UAE companies such as DP World, Sharaf Group, Transworld Group, AD Ports and ADNOC to explore industrial parks and investments in the state.

The CM pointed out that, unlike countries such as China and Japan, India does not face an ageing population challenge. With strong human resources and technological capability, India has moved from importing electronics to becoming an exporter.

“What once seemed impossible—double-digit growth—could now be a reality,” he remarked.

Referring to reforms in sectors such as technology, telecom, power, aviation and national highways, Naidu said India’s direction has changed dramatically over the past three decades. These reforms, he noted, have created significant opportunities for the youth.

Naidu said AP’s progressive policies and swift decision-making are gaining national and international recognition, with the global industry increasingly viewing the state as a promising investment destination.

The CM also outlined AP’s ambitious renewable energy plan targeting 160gw and flagged opportunities for partnerships with UAE firms such as TAQA and Masdar, as well as funding institutions including ADIA, Mubadala and ADQ. He proposed UAE participation in the state’s upcoming Space City and Drone City initiatives.

Responding positively, minister Al Zeyoudi expressed his keen interest in exploring partnerships across sectors, signaling that a strong momentum for Andhra Pradesh–UAE collaboration was emerging from Davos.