Strong States Are Key To Building A Strong India: Lokesh

Vijayawada: Education Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday called upon investors to partner in the state’s growth journey, asserting that strong states are essential for building a strong nation.

Addressing the plenary session of the Indian chamber of commerce at ITC Sonar in Kolkata, he highlighted AP’s strengths of “speed, stability and service” as the pillars driving investment and economic growth.

Speaking before industrialists, business leaders and intellectuals, Lokesh described Kolkata as India’s intellectual, cultural and economic hub. Recalling the popular saying, “What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow,” he said a strong Bengal would contribute significantly to a stronger India.

The minister said healthy competition among states was crucial for national progress. Referring to his meeting with the West Bengal chief minister, he said both states could learn from each other’s experiences while working toward common development goals. He noted that AP’s land pooling model had successfully convinced farmers to participate by linking development with employment opportunities and a better future for their families.

Lokesh said India was at a pivotal moment, with countries across the world looking to it as a major economic destination. Andhra Pradesh, he said, was among the leading states in implementing reforms and was attracting nearly 25 per cent of investments flowing into the country.

Explaining the state’s investment strategy, he said Andhra Pradesh had moved beyond the Ease of Doing Business to Speed of Doing Business. Under chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership, decisions were being taken and implemented rapidly. He cited the state’s success in attracting Google’s investment, securing the ArcelorMittal project and facilitating the AMCA project at Puttaparthi within a short timeframe.

On investor confidence, Lokesh said stability in policies and honouring commitments were critical. He said the government viewed itself as a service provider rather than a regulator, assuring investors of direct support and quick resolution of issues.

The minister said AP aims to become a $2.4-trillion economy by 2047 and has already signed investment agreements worth `24 lakh crore. He announced plans for a Gems and Jewellery Park at Mangalagiri and said the Bhogapuram International Airport would be inaugurated in July.

Inviting investors to join the state’s transformation, Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh was building industry-specific zones and clusters to create a world-class industrial ecosystem.