AP Targets $2.4 Trillion Economy By 2047: Lokesh
The minister described students as the state's 'future, asset and wealth' and urged full utilisation of the emerging AI industrial revolution, drawing parallels with opportunities created during the IT and earlier industrial revolutions
By : Deccan Chronicle
Update: 2025-08-29 13:59 GMT
Visakhapatnam: Education minister Nara Lokesh has reaffirmed the Andhra Pradesh government's commitment to building a knowledge-driven economy and said, “We are focused on transforming AP into a $2.4 trillion economy by 2047.
Chartered accountants must not only contribute to this growth but lead this transformation, he said during his visit to the city on Friday.
Lokesh participated in a series of events, starting the day with his presence at Arthasamriddhi-2025, a conference hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India at Vizag Conventions. He noted how each industrial revolution brought both challenges and opportunities.
“India gained immensely from the IT revolution and we are poised to benefit from the AI revolution,” he said.
Lokesh highlighted the government's commitment to balanced regional growth, stating, “Our motto is ‘One capital, decentralisation of development.’ We are committed to nurturing growth across all regions.”
He laid out a roadmap for sector-specific development across Andhra Pradesh: Anantapur will focus on the automotive industry, Kurnool on renewable energy, Chittoor on electronics, Prakasam on compressed biogas, the Guntur-Krishna region on establishing a Quantum Valley, the Godavari districts on aquaculture and North Andhra on expanding the IT, pharmaceutical and logistics sectors.
In partnership with the Cyient Foundation, Lokesh virtually inaugurated AI, STEM and Robotics Labs in 50 government schools across Visakhapatnam district, backed by an investment of `8 crore. He launched the initiative at the Chandrapalem ZP High School, where he engaged with students. Among the showcased models were AI Robotics, STEM Robot, Tinker Orbits, Mechatron Car, Smart Farming, Robotic Arm and Digital Dice.
The minister congratulated tenth-grade students Arunashree and Bhagyalakshmi for their innovative Smart Farming project. Addressing the young audience, Lokesh encouraged students to dream big: “Who wants to be an engineer, doctor, IAS, IPS, teacher, or political leader? Raise your hands. And how many of you want to be entrepreneurs,” he asked them. The responses were mixed.
Later, Lokesh attended a high-level aerospace conference jointly organised by the civil aviation ministry, CII, and the society of Indian defence manufacturers. The event focused on boosting India’s aerospace manufacturing and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) sectors, with participation from global OEMs, MSMEs, academicians and industry leaders.
Reflecting on past infrastructure milestones, Lokesh said, “When Chandrababu Naidu initiated the Shamshabad airport, critics doubted the vision. Today, it contributes 11 per cent to Telangana’s GSDP. Now, we’re building the Bhogapuram airport to transform North Andhra.”
Lokesh participated in a series of events, starting the day with his presence at Arthasamriddhi-2025, a conference hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India at Vizag Conventions. He noted how each industrial revolution brought both challenges and opportunities.
“India gained immensely from the IT revolution and we are poised to benefit from the AI revolution,” he said.
Lokesh highlighted the government's commitment to balanced regional growth, stating, “Our motto is ‘One capital, decentralisation of development.’ We are committed to nurturing growth across all regions.”
He laid out a roadmap for sector-specific development across Andhra Pradesh: Anantapur will focus on the automotive industry, Kurnool on renewable energy, Chittoor on electronics, Prakasam on compressed biogas, the Guntur-Krishna region on establishing a Quantum Valley, the Godavari districts on aquaculture and North Andhra on expanding the IT, pharmaceutical and logistics sectors.
In partnership with the Cyient Foundation, Lokesh virtually inaugurated AI, STEM and Robotics Labs in 50 government schools across Visakhapatnam district, backed by an investment of `8 crore. He launched the initiative at the Chandrapalem ZP High School, where he engaged with students. Among the showcased models were AI Robotics, STEM Robot, Tinker Orbits, Mechatron Car, Smart Farming, Robotic Arm and Digital Dice.
The minister congratulated tenth-grade students Arunashree and Bhagyalakshmi for their innovative Smart Farming project. Addressing the young audience, Lokesh encouraged students to dream big: “Who wants to be an engineer, doctor, IAS, IPS, teacher, or political leader? Raise your hands. And how many of you want to be entrepreneurs,” he asked them. The responses were mixed.
Later, Lokesh attended a high-level aerospace conference jointly organised by the civil aviation ministry, CII, and the society of Indian defence manufacturers. The event focused on boosting India’s aerospace manufacturing and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) sectors, with participation from global OEMs, MSMEs, academicians and industry leaders.
Reflecting on past infrastructure milestones, Lokesh said, “When Chandrababu Naidu initiated the Shamshabad airport, critics doubted the vision. Today, it contributes 11 per cent to Telangana’s GSDP. Now, we’re building the Bhogapuram airport to transform North Andhra.”