THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
VISAKHAPATNAM, NOVEMBER 12, 2026
Andhra Pradesh on Thursday showcased its growing potential as a global
manufacturing and investment destination, with three proposed Greenfield
Industrial Smart Cities involving an estimated investment potential of Rs
31,360 crore and capable of generating around two lakh jobs taking centre stage
at the 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026 here.
The two-day summit, being held on November 12–13 under the theme
“Navigating the New World Order: Trade, Technology, Trust and Thought
Leadership”, has brought together leading policymakers, international
delegates, global business leaders and investors to explore opportunities for
strengthening economic partnerships, attracting investments and integrating
India more deeply into global value chains.
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC)
showcased Andhra Pradesh's industrial capabilities through its three Greenfield
Industrial Smart City projects at Krishnapatnam, Orvakal and Kopparthy,
covering a combined area of 7,717 acres.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited the NICDC pavilion, where its CEO
and Managing Director Rajat Kumar Saini briefed them on the progress of the
three industrial nodes and the investment opportunities they offer.
Highlighting the infrastructure development status, Saini said Krishnapatnam
had achieved more than 50 per cent completion, while Orvakal was approximately
30 per cent complete and Kopparthy had reached around 12 per cent completion.
The projects are being developed under different industrial corridors as
integrated manufacturing ecosystems, supported by world-class infrastructure
and connectivity, with the objective of attracting large-scale domestic and
foreign investments, strengthening industrial capabilities and creating
employment opportunities.
The NICDC pavilion also showcased a range of initiatives and digital
platforms, including the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA), Industrial
Corridor Land Platform (ICLP), Koyla Shakti Smart Coal Analytics Dashboard and
a 360-degree virtual reality tour of industrial corridor projects.
During the visit, Goyal highlighted the BHAVYA scheme, while Naidu
underscored the potential of the proposed Orvakal Drone City in developing
Andhra Pradesh as an emerging hub for aerospace and drone manufacturing.
The summit's inaugural session was attended by Union Home and Cooperation
Minister Amit Shah, Goyal, Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu,
Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan, among other dignitaries. State
IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh also addressed the gathering.
The event is focusing on a wide range of emerging economic opportunities,
including international trade, resilient supply chains, advanced manufacturing,
defence technologies, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, quantum
technologies, smart manufacturing, green energy and future mobility.
Reinforcing the growing strategic economic partnership between India and
Japan, Japanese Ambassador to India Keiichi Ono highlighted the contribution of
31 Japanese companies operating across three cities in Andhra Pradesh, which
have collectively generated more than 8,000 local jobs.
He identified steel, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and semiconductors as
key sectors offering significant opportunities for further collaboration
between the two countries.
NICDC chief Saini, in his opening remarks, outlined five priority areas
for deeper cooperation: manufacturing and industrial corridor development,
resilient supply chains, advanced technologies, sustainable industrial
development, and partnerships involving micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) and skill development.
He also highlighted Japan's commitment to facilitating investments worth
JPY 10 trillion in India over the next decade, emphasising the importance of
converting investment opportunities into concrete projects and long-term
industrial partnerships.
Director General of JETRO Chennai Kiyotaka Doho said Japanese companies
were showing growing interest in India and Andhra Pradesh, with more than 80
per cent of surveyed companies planning to expand their operations.
Isuzu Motors India President and Managing Director Rajesh Mittal stressed
the importance of Japanese manufacturing practices, quality standards, skill
development and the development of strong local supplier ecosystems.
Presentations by Proterial India and Nittan India further highlighted the
scope for industrial cooperation and investment partnerships.
State Industries and Food Processing Minister T G Bharath highlighted
Andhra Pradesh's strategic location, industrial infrastructure, port
connectivity and sector-specific opportunities, stressing the need to translate
investment commitments into actual projects on the ground.
The summit is expected to further strengthen engagement between
international investors, policymakers and industry stakeholders, with Andhra
Pradesh seeking to leverage its industrial corridors, logistics infrastructure
and emerging technology sectors to attract global manufacturing investments.
Through its Greenfield Industrial Smart City programme, NICDC is working
to develop globally competitive industrial destinations, improve logistics
efficiency and strengthen India's manufacturing ecosystem in line with the
national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The corporation operates under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and is mandated to develop world-class industrial smart cities across the country.
With its expanding industrial infrastructure and investment-ready projects, Andhra Pradesh is pitching itself as a preferred destination for global businesses under the message: "Invest in India. Make Andhra Pradesh Your New Address."
