Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials on Sunday to organize the upcoming Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on the lines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, moving beyond traditional investment signings to focus on knowledge sharing and policy innovation.
The move comes amid Google’s landmark $15 billion bet to establish its largest AI hub outside the U.S. in the coastal city, in partnership with Adani Group. The hub will feature a 1-gigawatt data center campus, new energy infrastructure, and expanded fiber networks marking Andhra’s boldest pitch yet to become India’s artificial intelligence capital.
During a review meeting at his camp office, Naidu emphasized that the 30th edition of the CII Partnership Summit should feature plenary and breakout sessions fostering meaningful dialogue between investors and policymakers. “The summit should not only focus on investments and MoUs but also serve as a platform for policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and intellectual engagement,” Naidu said.
“With Google’s arrival, Visakhapatnam is transforming into a happening global city,” Naidu said, linking the investment to Andhra’s pro-business governance. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Viksit Bharat” agenda, framing the AI hub as a catalyst for democratizing technology access and creating thousands of digital jobs.
As part of pre-summit stimulus measures, the Naidu government cleared ₹1,500 crore in pending industrial incentives to provide what he called a “festive boost” to MSMEs ahead of Diwali. The plan underscores Andhra’s strategy to blend infrastructure revival with futuristic industries a playbook reminiscent of ASEAN and Gulf economic models.
The November summit marks the 30th edition of the CII Partnership Summit, a platform that Naidu now wants to evolve into a permanent global dialogue hub. By anchoring it around artificial intelligence and clean tech, Andhra Pradesh aims to signal that India’s next growth story may not come from Delhi or Bengaluru, but from the shores of Visakhapatnam.
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