Lokesh pitches AP as mfg, tech base to global majors

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh has stepped up its effort to attract global companies across electronics, data centres, healthcare, fintech, enterprise technology, agrochemicals and clean energy, with Minister for HRD, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh pitching the State as a manufacturing and technology base during a series of meetings with corporate leaders in New Delhi. Lokesh urged Vivo India to establish a mobile component manufacturing facility in Tirupati and develop a dedicated component manufacturing park for its supplier ecosystem. He also proposed a supply-chain meeting with the State government to bring Vivo’s vendors and subsidiaries into the State. Vivo India president (Government Affairs & Strategic Engagement) Arjit Sen said the proposals would be discussed with the company’s senior leadership. The state also sought to build a complete data-centre ecosystem. In his meeting with Cisco Systems India and Southeast Asia managing director Harish Krishnan, Lokesh proposed a manufacturing facility in AP for Unified Computing System (UCS) servers, switches and routers, besides an engineering centre or Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Visakhapatnam.

Cisco has ongoing engagements in AP, including the Innovation Centre in Visakhapatnam, Centre of Excellence in Tirupati, Vijayawada Smart City and AP Fibernet. A programme to train 50,000 youth in the State is already under way.

Healthcare manufacturing was another focus. Lokesh invited Abbott to establish medical-device or diagnostics manufacturing units at the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) or Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC), besides exploring generic drug manufacturing at the upcoming Bulk Drug Park at Nakkapalli. He also proposed an Abbott GCC in Visakhapatnam. Abbott India Managing Director Isteyaque Amjad said the company would examine the proposals and expressed interest in investing in established local nutrition and pharmaceutical manufacturing entities.

Lokesh separately sought a Mastercard GCC or technology centre in Visakhapatnam and invited the company to join the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub as a fintech advisory member. He also proposed partnerships in skill development, finance and fintech initiatives. Mastercard said it would examine the proposals.

An MoU with AP Tourism Authority has also been signed to promote Dindi, Tirupati, Suryalanka and Araku/Vizag through its global ‘Priceless’ platform.

The state also approached SAP for a Digital Governance Centre of Excellence covering smart governance, SME digitalisation and skills. SAP was invited to collaborate with Andhra Pradesh Technology Services on certification programmes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India