30th CII partnership summit kicks off in Visakhapatnam

The 30th edition of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit began on a grand note in Visakhapatnam, running over two days, drawing top industry leaders and policymakers.

Addressing the summit, India’s Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan praised the country’s economic growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that wealth creation is key to eradicating poverty. He highlighted Andhra Pradesh as a role model for development and governance, recognizing Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for continuing the state’s growth trajectory even after the bifurcation of Telangana.

The Vice President emphasized the role of e-governance and digital infrastructure in delivering faster public services and noted that India aims to become the third-largest economy globally within the next few years. He also underscored the country’s push for a 500-gigawatt green energy target, energy self-reliance, and a vibrant startup ecosystem, calling Andhra Pradesh an ideal destination for investment.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal lauded CM Chandrababu as a visionary leader whose focus on Andhra Pradesh’s growth aligns with national development goals. He described Visakhapatnam as a potential “Global Trade Gateway” and highlighted reforms such as the establishment of $30 billion in semiconductor industries, digital payment adoption, and green energy initiatives. Goyal also confirmed the Centre’s support to create an “Andhra Pavilion” for trade exhibitions, similar to the “Bharat Mandap” in Delhi.

CM Chandrababu Naidu emphasized Visakhapatnam as a city defined by vision, innovation, ambition, and growth. He noted that Andhra Pradesh ranks first in the ease of doing business and is now focusing on speeding up approvals and providing land for investors to quickly move to production stages. IT Minister Nara Lokesh described the state as a growth engine, with Visakhapatnam emerging as a key growth corridor, aided by strong coordination between the state and central governments.

Several top industry leaders expressed confidence in Andhra Pradesh’s business environment and CM Chandrababu’s leadership. Karan Adani (Adani Ports), Sujitha K. Ella (Bharat Biotech), Sanjiv Bajaj (Bajaj Finserv), and Yusuf Ali (Lulu Group) highlighted opportunities in sectors like trade, technology, green energy, and skill development. Sanjiv Bajaj announced plans to establish Rahul Bajaj Skilling Centers in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Sri City, and Tirupati. Sujitha Ella highlighted India’s achievements in vaccine production during the COVID-19 pandemic, crediting Andhra Pradesh’s “Genome Valley” ecosystem for fostering innovation.

Amit Kalyani of Bharat Forge pointed out Andhra Pradesh’s growing role in AI, data-driven technologies, defense manufacturing, shipbuilding, and tourism. Yusuf Ali of Lulu Group spoke about the expansion of modern malls and food processing units across the state, aligning with CM Chandrababu’s vision for development.

The summit reinforced Andhra Pradesh’s position as a prime investment destination, showcasing its technological, industrial, and infrastructural strengths, while attracting global and national industry leaders to partner with the state for future growth.