Lokesh Projects AP As Investment Hub, Meets 17 Industry Leaders in Kolkata

Vijayawada: Education Minister Nara Lokesh mounted an aggressive investment outreach campaign in Kolkata on Friday, holding meetings with 17 leading industrialists and corporate heads and urging them to partner in the state's industrial transformation.

Participating in the plenary session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Lokesh showcased Andhra Pradesh as one of the most investor-friendly destinations. The minister met 13 major industrialists and business leaders individually, followed by interactions with representatives of several other companies, pitching opportunities across 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 Speciality Chemicals CMD Anurag Choudhary and executives of Shyam Metalics, Super Smelters and Rashmi Metaliks.

Nara Lokesh highlighted the state's strengths, like its long coastline, world-class ports, improving logistics network, industrial corridors, availability of land and power and investor-friendly policies. Andhra Pradesh, he said, is strategically implementing reforms to attract investments, create employment and emerge as a leading manufacturing and industrial hub.

The minister said work on the integrated steel plant being established by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel near Anakapalli had commenced, positioning the state as a major steel production centre. He invited metal and steel companies to establish EV-grade aluminium manufacturing units, integrated steel plants and ductile iron pipe facilities in AP.

In discussions with ITC, Lokesh sought investments in crop value-chain clusters, climate-resilient agriculture, agro-forestry and model village initiatives. He noted that nearly 220 national and international companies had signed agreements to establish industries in Visakhapatnam and begun implementation.

The minister also pitched Andhra Pradesh's ambitious renewable energy programme, which targets 78.5gw of capacity over the next five years, with investments worth `10 lakh crore and creation of 7.5 lakh jobs. He urged Vikram Solar to establish an integrated solar hub in Rayalaseema and expand energy storage operations.

To strengthen the state's electric mobility ecosystem, Lokesh invited Himadri Speciality Chemicals to set up a silicon-carbon anode unit and advanced materials research facility in Andhra Pradesh.

Industrialists who attended the meetings appreciated the state's proactive industrial policies and assured the minister that they would examine the investment proposals placed before them. Later, Lokesh visited the famous Kali temple in Kolkata and offered special prayers for AP’s progress and prosperity.