'Andhra most ideal for investments': IT Minister Lokesh

Participating in the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit in New Delhi on Monday, Lokesh said Startup Andhra is not just a slogan, but a principle to change the administration.
Minister for IT Nara Lokesh at the US-India forum leadership summit on Monday.
Minister for IT Nara Lokesh at the US-India forum leadership summit on Monday.(Photo | Express)
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VIJAYAWADA: IT Minister Nara Lokesh described Andhra Pradesh as the most ideal destination in the country for establishing industries.

Participating in the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit in New Delhi on Monday, Lokesh said Startup Andhra is not just a slogan, but a principle to change the administration.

Lokesh exuded confidence that the target of creating 20 lakh jobs will certainly be achieved with cooperation of private sector.

During the e-summit chaired by the Forum Chairman and founder of JC-2 Ventures John Chambers, Lokesh focused on the accelerated development of Andhra Pradesh in social and economic sectors.

He informed the gathering that the Economic Development Board has been revived for speedy issuance of permissions to industries, and that an advisory council has been constituted with experts from the private sector.

“We are now implementing a Single Point of Contact System for granting permissions to industries. Information regarding permissions and the projects to be taken up is regularly updated through a website,” Lokesh explained.

Highlighting that a skill census has been taken up in the State, the first in the country, he said as part of the exercise, household and education data is being collected at the micro-level initially.

“The skill census will help achieve the goal of providing 20 lakh jobs to the youth in the next five years. Taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat, we have set a goal of Viksit Andhra Pradesh by 2047,” he highlighted.

Focus on speed of doing business to achieve growth

Lokesh said the State government aims to bring the poor out of poverty by creating wealth. The State is moving very fast with Speed of Doing Business to achieve the goal of industrial development, he said.

The IT Minister said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is encouraging the establishment of more and more engineering colleges, mentioning that Hyderabad is marching fast in IT due to Naidu’s efforts, particularly during the Y2K boom.

“We have very good manpower. The Port City of Visakhapatnam will be developed as an IT, Chemical, Pharma and Medical Device hub. Plans are also afoot to develop Capital Amaravati as a world-class city,” he asserted.

"The TDP-led NDA has achieved a historic victory in the recent Assembly elections by winning 164 out of 175 seats with a 92 per cent strike rate. Of them, 88 MLAs, including 17 ministers are fresh faces. We have the bounden responsibility to meet the hopes and aspirations of the people of AP,” he added.

Ratan Tata innovation hub

  • The State govt is set to establish Ratan Tata Innovation Hub in Amaravati, CM Chandrababu Naidu announced on Monday.

  • The hub will foster entrepreneurship ecosystems, and innovation and mentor startups.

  • It will be linked to five other zonal centres.

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