Andhra Pradesh CM orders regional conferences ahead of CII Partnership Summit

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered the organization of five regional conferences in Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Guntur, Anantapur, and Tirupati. These events will serve as a prelude to the 31st CII Partnership Summit, scheduled for November 12 and 13 in Visakhapatnam.

Naidu emphasized that the summit should move beyond the mere signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to actively inspire entrepreneurs and strengthen the state's brand. Key initiatives include hosting MSME showcases at each conference, creating a Shark Tank-style platform to connect startups with investors, and linking Ratan Tata Innovation Hubs to the events. The Chief Minister also proposed introducing entrepreneurship subjects in schools starting from Class 7.

To drive industrial growth, Naidu directed officials to convert 80 percent of investment proposals by the end of October and ensure 75 percent of converted projects are grounded. Since June 2024, 714 projects worth ₹22.57 lakh crore have signed MoUs, with 473 projects worth ₹16.6 lakh crore already converted and 247 projects grounded. The regional conferences are set to take place between October 7 and October 26, with different locations focusing on specific sectors such as AI, maritime, and aerospace.