Amaravati, Oct 20 (NationPress) The Andhra Pradesh government has set an ambitious goal to transform Visakhapatnam into a trillion-dollar economic corridor, announced State Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, on Monday.

During his address, Lokesh noted that Andhra Pradesh secured over Rs.10 lakh crore in investments within just 16 months, emphasizing the state's aspiration to evolve into a $2.4 trillion economy by the year 2047.

Lokesh made these remarks at the CII Partnership Summit Roadshow in Sydney as part of his Australian tour to attract investors for the upcoming Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on November 14-15.

According to reports from his office, Lokesh has been promoting a comprehensive agenda focused on academic, industrial, and skills partnerships during his second day in Australia, engaging with leading universities, vocational training institutions, and industry experts to accelerate Andhra Pradesh’s position as India’s next hub for innovation and investment.

Emphasizing Visakhapatnam’s swift rise as a data and industrial center, Lokesh encouraged business leaders to participate in the CII Partnership Summit, underlining the state's exceptional infrastructure, a coastline stretching 1,051 km, and favorable policies for new investments.

“When you sign an MoU with Andhra Pradesh, it’s not just your project—it becomes ours. We promise support and quick approvals at every step,” Lokesh assured attendees.

He reiterated Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to transparent, accountable, and accelerated growth, highlighting proactive project management, including daily WhatsApp updates involving ministers to ensure smooth execution for investors.

Lokesh articulated why Andhra Pradesh is a prime choice for global investors, showcasing the state’s visionary leadership, business-friendly reforms, youthful talent, and strong execution history, referencing Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s pivotal role in Hyderabad’s development.

Lokesh invited industry leaders to visit Andhra Pradesh, experience the state’s energy and opportunities firsthand, and join in creating 2 million jobs over the next five years. “When Indian states compete for investments, it benefits the entire nation. This is the new India, rapidly evolving to meet its $30 trillion ambition under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance,” he stated.

Lokesh shared that under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh has fostered a robust, investor-friendly environment, attracting over Rs 10 lakh crore in investments in a mere 16 months, thanks to the state’s “speed-of-doing-business” approach.

At the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Minister Lokesh interacted with senior executives and researchers to explore joint degree programs, student exchanges, and skills development initiatives, particularly in STEM, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Renewable Energy.

He advocated for collaborative research between Andhra Pradesh universities and UNSW to address challenges in sustainable agriculture and water management, seeking UNSW’s support to establish innovation hubs in the state.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need for partnerships in public health, telemedicine, smart cities, and data-driven governance.

UNSW leaders highlighted the university’s global reputation, ranking among the top 50 institutions worldwide, and its achievements in solar-powered vehicles, quantum computing, and medical advancements.

UNSW expressed its willingness to expand collaboration with Andhra Pradesh in joint research, technology transfer, and student engagement, having already formed connections with leading Indian institutions and tech hubs.