How is Andhra Pradesh Establishing Itself as a GCC Hub?

Amaravati, Sep 9 (NationPress) In an initiative aimed at establishing Andhra Pradesh as a premier hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), the state government announced the formation of a comprehensive GCC Advisory Council on Tuesday. This initiative unites CXOs from global enterprises, industry organizations like NASSCOM, business councils, consulting experts, real estate developers, and leading educational institutions. The goal is to significantly boost GCC investments and position Andhra Pradesh as a frontrunner in the digital economy, as per an official statement.

GCCs serve as strategic entities for multinational firms, managing R&D, IT, finance, procurement, and customer services, making them one of the fastest-growing sectors in global commerce. Unlike conventional outsourcing, GCCs are fully owned by their parent organizations, promoting innovation, efficiency, and better integration with global operations. With over 1,600 GCCs currently functioning in India and employing approximately 1.6 million professionals, Andhra Pradesh is vigorously pursuing the next wave of investments.

The GCC Advisory Council is entrusted with a broad mandate, which includes developing a five-year strategic roadmap for the GCC sector in AP. Its objectives encompass creating a future-ready talent ecosystem through collaborations with IIT Tirupati, IIM Visakhapatnam, and skill development initiatives; fostering innovation and R&D through global partnerships; constructing world-class infrastructure, such as IT parks, plug-and-play facilities, and Grade-A commercial spaces; overseeing the implementation of IT & GCC Policy (4.0); and leading branding and global outreach through roadshows in the US, Europe, and Asia.

The council's composition lends it considerable strength and credibility, featuring CXOs/India heads from renowned MNCs with GCC operations in the country, including AXA XL, Mastercard, Warner Bros. Discovery, Novartis, Syngenta, and BT Group.

Additionally, it includes representatives from global business councils like USIBC and EBTC, the industry body NASSCOM, consulting firms and service providers such as ANSR, EY, KPMG, Deloitte, Primus Partners, as well as workplace and real estate leaders like Knight Frank India, Prestige Group, Sattva, and Sobha.

The government has also initiated a three-month program of national and international roadshows to actively attract global firms and establish Andhra Pradesh as a preferred GCC destination.

With the establishment of the council, Andhra Pradesh is poised to enter a new era of growth driven by GCCs, generating thousands of high-value jobs and enhancing its position in the global technology arena, according to the statement.