Andhra Pradesh IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh emphasized that the state is working towards a target of creating 20 lakh jobs, with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) playing a pivotal role. Speaking at an awareness seminar on SME IPOs in Vijayawada, he unveiled the government’s vision: “Made in Andhra – Made for India – Made for the World.” He stated that while mega-corporations like Google are vital, a small industry starting with ₹50 lakh is equally important for the state’s economic fabric.
The Minister highlighted the state’s rapid industrial growth, noting that over the past 23 months, Andhra Pradesh has secured MoUs for ₹23 lakh crore in investments across 800 projects, potentially generating 24 lakh jobs. He cited the arrival of global giants like Google, ArcelorMittal, TCS, and the upcoming ‘AMCA’ fighter jet project in Puttaparthi as evidence of the “multiplier effect,” where one large investment births numerous ancillary units. He cited how Google’s data center in Visakhapatnam led to a cooling systems unit by Carrier in Sri City as a prime example.
Reaffirming the government’s stance on “One Capital – Decentralized Development,” Lokesh detailed the plan to establish 22 industrial clusters across the state, focusing on automobiles in Rayalaseema, aqua in coastal regions, and pharma/data centers in North Andhra. He set an ambitious target for the MSME department to list 100 Andhra companies on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) within the next three months. Transitioning from “Ease of Doing Business” to “Speed of Doing Business,” the Minister assured entrepreneurs that he is just a message away for any assistance.
Key Highlights of the AP Industrial Roadmap
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Investment Milestones: ₹23 lakh crore in MoUs signed across 800 projects.
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Strategic Clusters: 22 industrial hubs categorized by regional strengths (e.g., Drone City in Kurnool, Pharma in Vizag).
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MSME Support: Proposed MSME park in every constituency to drive local employment.
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Financial Scaling: Goal to list 100 local MSMEs on the NSE in the next 90 days.
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Economic Vision: Driving the state towards a $2.4 trillion economy by 2047.
