Brand AP Successfully Relaunched At WEF In Davos As Investor Interest Peaks
Various engagements at the World Economic Forum saw Andhra Pradesh attracting global investments as well as fostering strategic partnerships with leading MNCs and countries.
*This is in partnership with Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board.
India’s sunrise state Andhra Pradesh witnessed a high level of investor engagement at the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos with chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu leading the charge. The various engagements at the landmark annual gathering of the world’s elite business titans, policymakers and thought leaders saw Andhra Pradesh attracting global investments as well as fostering strategic partnerships with leading MNCs and countries.
The high-powered team from Andhra Pradesh participated in business roundtables, CEO forums and one-on-one meetings with CEOs of globally renowned companies. In addition, the state also strengthened its brand image among global investors.
A significant part of the focus at Davos was on demonstrating that the new Andhra Pradesh government meant business and was determined to cut red tape and increase the speed of doing business. Nara Lokesh, the minister of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications and Human Resources said that the reason the state had a strong presence in Davos was to give investors confidence that the state was willing to work with them all the way. He said what differentiated AP from other Indian states was the speed of doing business.
The state delegation highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s investor-friendly policies, including the visionary ‘Swarna Andhra 2047’ roadmap, inviting global corporations to explore the vast opportunities in the state. This roadmap has been developed to transform the state into a $2.4 trillion economy by 2047. This goal includes achieving a per capita income of $43,000 and the initiative aligns with the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat, which aims for a developed India by 2047.
Naidu addressed a CII special session on Green Industrialisation, emphasising Andhra Pradesh’s human resources and entrepreneurial spirit. He also unveiled plans for a Global Leadership Centre in Amaravati. The state’s commitment to green energy and hydrogen production was a central theme of the discussions. He also met Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to explore transformative initiatives in health, education, and innovation. The discussions included establishing a Centre of Excellence for Health Innovation and Diagnostics in Andhra Pradesh.
At the Indian Pavilion in Davos, Naidu joined Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and other state representatives to address the media. Emphasising the unified participation of Indian states under the "Team India" concept, he highlighted the significance of India’s cohesive representation on the global stage.
The state also participated in multiple roundtables. These included “AI for Good—Shaping a Smarter, Sustainable Tomorrow,” “Shaping the Future for Next-Gen AI: Innovation Hub, Data Factory, and AI,” “Building the next Petrochemical Hub,” “The Next Wave—Pioneering the Blue Economy of Tomorrow,” and “Powering the Future with Green Hydrogen & Renewable Energy.”
Andhra Pradesh’s strong presence at WEF has laid the groundwork for significant investments and strategic partnerships. Several MNCs have committed to visiting Andhra Pradesh to explore investment opportunities further, reinforcing the state’s position as a global investment hub. This visit has set the stage for exciting collaborations and investments that will further solidify Andhra Pradesh's position as a global investment powerhouse in the coming years.
Some of the notable meetings with government and business leaders included the following global giants:
Maersk: Explored investment opportunities leveraging Andhra Pradesh’s extensive port infrastructure and coastline.
Cisco: The state has invited the company to establish a Global Capability Centre in Visakhapatnam or Tirupati and explore network component manufacturing opportunities.
LG Chem: Discussed establishing petrochemical units and semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Andhra Pradesh.
PepsiCo: Proposed expanding operations by setting up a global delivery centre and manufacturing units for products like Kurkure.
Google Cloud: Encouraged Google to establish a design centre in Visakhapatnam and consider server component manufacturing in the state.
Petronas: The Malaysian company expressed interest in investing Rs. 13,000–Rs. 15,000 crore in green ammonia production in Andhra Pradesh.
Unilever: Discussed a Rs. 330 crore investment in the palm oil industry and opportunities in food processing and beauty portfolios.
ArcelorMittal: Reviewed progress on the Rs. 1.4 lakh crore integrated steel plant in Anakapalli.
Carlsberg: Discussed plans for an integrated brewery and bottling unit in Andhra Pradesh’s industrial parks.
Swissmen: Discussions centred on establishing research and development centres, innovation hubs, plumbing labs, and training programs in Andhra Pradesh.
Oerlikon: Explored opportunities for advanced coating centres and investments in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and tooling.
Angst Pfister: The company has been invited to set up an advanced sealing solutions plant and anti-vibration system facility in Andhra Pradesh.
Swiss Textiles: Discussions included contract manufacturing, R&D, and skill development opportunities in Andhra Pradesh.
