Davos: The Chief Minister presented Andhra Pradesh’s development strategy and reform agenda.
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu strongly outlined Andhra Pradesh’s development strategy and reform agenda during his media interaction on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on the third day of his Davos visit.
Emphasizing Andhra Pradesh’s industry-friendly environment, Naidu said his government has adopted a “Speed of Doing Business” model, which allows investors to receive quick approvals.
In an informal conversation with reporters in Davos, he spoke about the rapid changes taking place in Andhra Pradesh’s industrial landscape and his government’s policy initiatives to attract global investment.
Describing the World Economic Forum as an extraordinary platform, the Chief Minister said that this annual meeting not only helps attract investment but also provides participants with an opportunity to closely observe global innovations across all sectors.
Naidu recalled how he had previously used this forum to brand a united Andhra Pradesh and the Andhra Pradesh of today, emphasizing, “Strong branding attracts investment, investment leads to development, and development leads to effective welfare schemes reaching the poor.”
Describing himself as an optimist, Naidu said he believes in setting big goals and working relentlessly to achieve them. He cited Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as his inspirations. He said that with vision, innovative thinking, honesty, and hard work, any goal can be achieved, a message he regularly shares with the youth.
The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh has emerged as an industry-friendly state, moving beyond “Ease of Doing Business” to “Speed of Doing Business” by expediting approvals for new projects. He said that incentives are being provided through escrow accounts, while the entire process, from approvals to setting up industries, is being monitored in real time to expedite production.
Highlighting key achievements, Naidu said that Google’s arrival in Visakhapatnam is a major step in the state’s development journey. He credited IT Minister Nara Lokesh for “proactive follow-up,” and noted that discussions with Google began soon after the government came to power.
He said that technology is transforming agriculture, and the state is implementing a focused agri-tech policy. Andhra Pradesh has also taken initial steps in green energy and green ammonia production, and agreements have already been signed to export green ammonia to foreign markets. Citing reforms in the technology, telecom, power, aviation, and national highway sectors, the Chief Minister said that India’s path to progress has changed significantly over the past three decades, opening up “enormous opportunities for the youth.” He described the construction of the Amaravati capital as a major opportunity, claiming that “Amaravati is being developed as a futuristic, technology-driven green-blue city.”
He said that tourism development is a priority given the state’s rich natural attractions.
Naidu also unveiled plans to build a Global Leadership Center in Andhra Pradesh, and said that the state’s policies, ideas, and ability to make quick decisions are now being widely discussed at the national and international levels.
