Could Andhra Pradesh Become the Hub for Global Skills and Diaspora Engagement?

Amaravati/New Delhi, Aug 18 (NationPress) Minister Nara Lokesh of Andhra Pradesh’s Information Technology and Human Resources Development met with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in the national capital on Monday, aiming to establish his state as a key hub for global skills and diaspora engagement.

During this meeting, the minister advocated for skills mobility and responsible migration, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leader in India’s vision for a global workforce.

Lokesh informed the Union Minister about the recent state delegation’s visit to Singapore, discussing the collaboration opportunities that arose and requesting the Centre’s support for these initiatives, as per a statement from the minister’s office in Amaravati.

He highlighted that Andhra Pradesh boasts a thriving diaspora of over 3.5 million people across 130 nations, with significant populations in the USA (1 million), Gulf countries (800,000), and Europe (400,000). He noted that Telugu individuals in the US have a remarkable per capita income of $126,000, well above the American average of $70,000, showcasing the diaspora's achievements.

Lokesh showcased Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious initiatives to enhance global skills and diaspora engagement, which include establishing skill development and institutional partnerships with nations like Russia and Australia through “twinning of institutions” and joint training programs; launching the Naipunyam portal, a unified digital platform linking job seekers, employers, and trainers to ensure transparency in the labor market; and implementing projects with Japan, Korea, and Taiwan to create overseas job opportunities for youth while attracting investments and technical expertise back to the state.

The state is also keen on enhancing diaspora engagement, calling upon the global Telugu community to increase investments and knowledge transfer in IT, innovation, and higher education.

Lokesh reaffirmed Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to sharing data and collaborating with the Centre to monitor labor market trends and overseas employment prospects for its workforce.

He requested the Ministry of External Affairs’ support to expand welfare and protection schemes for migrant workers from Andhra Pradesh, including broader access to insurance programs like Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana.

The minister further sought assistance from the Centre to organize global skills conclaves in Andhra Pradesh, expedite overseas training infrastructure, and enhance pre-departure orientation for migrant youth.

Additionally, he advocated for Central support in establishing an AI Centre of Excellence and a Data City in Visakhapatnam, envisioning the city as a future technology hub.