In this episode of Business Today Presents: Andhra Pradesh 360 : From Bharat to the World, the spotlight turns to a sector where the state is shaping global benchmarks: agriculture, agri-innovation and aquaculture. From the world’s largest agro-ecological natural farming programme to cutting-edge agri-tech, digital marketplaces and sustainable aquaculture, Andhra Pradesh is redefining modern farming. Special Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh : Budithi Rajsekhar explains how science-backed natural farming, climate resilience, value-chain integration and export-ready ecosystems are boosting farmer incomes, attracting global investors and positioning Andhra Pradesh as a scalable, globally relevant model ahead of key international forums.
Budithi Rajsekhar, Special Chief Secretary, Agriculture, Marketing & Cooperation Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, outlines the state’s long-term economic vision on the Business Today podcast with Karishma Asoodani. He explains why Andhra Pradesh aims to reduce the primary sector’s contribution to state GDP from 35% to around 18–20% by 2047, in line with global development trends. While agriculture will remain critical as a provider of raw materials for value-added industries, future growth is expected to come largely from services, manufacturing and urban development, particularly with the rise of Amaravati as a capital city and economic hub. The shift, he says, will help reduce economic risk, strengthen resilience against climate and global shocks, and place Andhra Pradesh on a sustainable high-growth path for the next two decades.
In this episode of Business Today Presents – Andhra Pradesh 360: From Bharat to the World, we speak with Shri Bhaskar Katamneni, Secretary – IT & Electronics, RTGS & HRD, Government of Andhra Pradesh, on how the state is building scale and momentum across electronics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. The conversation looks at the state’s core strengths, including dedicated clusters, progressive land and incentive policies, and a focus on speed and predictability for investors. We also discuss Andhra Pradesh’s role in India’s semiconductor ambitions, spanning fabs, ATMP/OSAT and the broader electronics value chain, along with the factors driving growing global investor interest.
In this episode of Business Today Presents – Andhra Pradesh 360: From Bharat to the World, we speak with Mr. Navin Sharma, CFO, JK Maini (Raymond) on the company’s entry into aerospace and defence manufacturing and its investment journey in Andhra Pradesh. The conversation explores Raymond’s aerospace ambitions, the reasons behind choosing Andhra Pradesh as an investment destination, the emergence of regions like Rayalaseema as future aerospace and defence clusters, and how the state’s policies, geography and industrial ecosystem are supporting high-value manufacturing. It also looks at Raymond’s future plans and the long-term opportunities in Andhra Pradesh’s aerospace and defence sector. A must-watch for manufacturers, investors and industry leaders tracking India’s aerospace and defence growth story.
In this episode of Business Today Presents – Andhra Pradesh 360: From Bharat to the World, we speak with Shri M. T. Krishna Babu, Secretary – Infrastructure & Investments, Government of Andhra Pradesh, on the state’s growing momentum in port-led industrialisation. The conversation explores how Andhra Pradesh’s ports and industrial corridors are enabling export-led manufacturing, defence logistics, space-related cargo movement and next-generation maritime trade. We also discuss the governance readiness and long-term planning behind the state’s greenfield ports, and the maritime and industrial investment opportunities expected to emerge over the next decade as Andhra Pradesh scales up defence, aerospace and space manufacturing. A must-watch for global investors, infrastructure developers and logistics leaders evaluating India’s maritime and industrial growth corridors.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh outlines the state’s ambitious push to become a core pillar of India’s AI and digital infrastructure. In conversation with Siddharth Zarabi, Group Editor, Business Today, Lokesh explains how Andhra Pradesh is sequencing reforms to suit local needs while aligning with the Centre’s broader reform agenda. Highlighting massive investments in data centres, including projects backed by global players such as Google, Lokesh says data centres are strategically vital for building India’s AI ecosystem. He reveals Andhra Pradesh’s plan to attract six gigawatts of data centre capacity, with 2.5 GW already locked in and the remaining investments expected within the next 12 months, aiming for execution by 2029. Lokesh also addresses concerns around power and water usage, argues that India must build AI infrastructure domestically, and stresses that job creation remains the single most important outcome of these investments, with a target of two million jobs in five years. SPONSORS: State Partner: Andhra Pradesh India's Sunrise State Exchange Partner: NSE India Knowledge Partner: Primus Partners Hospitality Partner: Optimax Aces Luxury Partners: Rasasi Imtiyaz Group
From BT Davos 2026, this special BT Podcast features an exclusive conversation between Siddharth Zarabi, Group Editor, Business Today, and N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The discussion focuses on how Andhra Pradesh’s global investment pitch at Davos 2026 is evolving, with a strong emphasis on speed of doing business and fast-track decision-making for investors. Naidu speaks about converting Davos conversations into on-ground investments, leveraging the China+1 strategy, sector-specific manufacturing hubs, and technology-led governance powered by AI and digital public infrastructure. He also addresses global trade pressures, expectations from the Centre, and the single message he wants global CEOs to take away about Andhra Pradesh in 2026.
At BT Davos 2026, this special BT Podcast features Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT, Andhra Pradesh, in conversation with Siddharth Zarabi, Group Editor, Business Today. The discussion explores Andhra Pradesh’s digital and technology-led growth strategy, with a focus on IT, electronics, innovation, and startup ecosystems. Lokesh outlines how the state is leveraging AI, digital public infrastructure, and policy reforms to attract global investors and create high-quality jobs. He also speaks about Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to emerge as a preferred destination for global tech companies, the role of skilling and talent, and how Davos conversations are being translated into long-term investments on the ground.
In this episode of Business Today Presents – Andhra Pradesh 360: From Bharat to the World, we speak with Mr. Gaurav Hazra, Vice President & Head – Government Affairs, Asia Pacific, Cognizant, on the company’s strategic investment in Andhra Pradesh and its long-term growth plans in the state. The conversation explores the factors that led Cognizant to select Visakhapatnam as a key location, its vision for the next phase of expansion, and the experience of working with the Government of Andhra Pradesh in facilitating and accelerating this investment. We also discuss Andhra Pradesh’s digital talent pipeline and university ecosystem, and how they support large-scale Global Capability Centre (GCC) operations. A must-watch for global enterprises, investors and technology leaders evaluating India’s GCC and digital growth destination- Andhra Pradesh!
In this episode of Andhra Pradesh 360: From Bharat to the World, we speak with Mr. Jasbir S. Gujral, Managing Director, Syrma SGS Technology, on why Andhra Pradesh is fast emerging as a key destination for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. Mr. Gujral shares what led Syrma SGS to choose Andhra Pradesh for its Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and Copper Clad Laminate (CCL) manufacturing facility, and how the state’s facilitation, policies and industrial ecosystem are enabling faster project execution. The conversation explores how this investment will strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s electronics and semiconductor value chain, support downstream manufacturing, and create new opportunities across advanced manufacturing, ATMP/OSAT, PCB fabrication and semiconductor R&D partnerships. A must-watch for investors, manufacturers and technology leaders evaluating India’s next electronics and semiconductor growth hub
Raymond Group believes Andhra Pradesh’s Valseema region has all the ingredients to emerge as a global aerospace and defence manufacturing cluster. Speaking to Business Today, Naveen Sharma, Chief Financial Officer of the Engineering Business at Raymond, explains how the group’s ₹510 crore investment in a state-of-the-art aerospace facility can help catalyse a broader industrial ecosystem in the region. Sharma highlights the region’s advantages, including availability of land, strong policy support, cost competitiveness and excellent connectivity across southern India. He points out that Valseema offers a rare opportunity to build a modern aerospace and defence cluster from the ground up, integrating digital manufacturing, advanced infrastructure and an end-to-end supply chain, rather than retrofitting legacy industrial zones. He adds that Raymond’s presence will help attract global OEMs, tier-one suppliers and ancillary vendors, creating a strong vendor base, large-scale employment and deeper global collaboration. Combined with Andhra Pradesh’s execution-driven governance and the growing aerospace corridor across southern India, the investment is expected to play a key role in shaping the region into a globally competitive aerospace and defence hub.
In this episode of Andhra Pradesh 360 podcast , we speak with Gaurav Hazra, Vice President & Head – Government Affairs, Asia Pacific, Cognizant, on the company’s strategic decision to invest ₹1,583 crore in a new multi-phase campus in Visakhapatnam. Scheduled to be developed in three phases by 2033, the facility will begin construction in 2026, employ 3,000 associates by early 2029, and eventually scale up to a seating capacity of 8,000. Hazra explains how global technology firms are rethinking expansion beyond traditional metros and why tier-two cities like Visakhapatnam are emerging as powerful talent hubs. From talent availability and long-term political stability to infrastructure readiness and government vision, he outlines the key factors that shaped Cognizant’s decision-making process. The conversation also highlights how remote work trends post-Covid have accelerated this shift, enabling companies to go where talent already exists and build anchor facilities for future growth. As Andhra Pradesh positions itself as a competitive destination for global technology investments, this discussion offers valuable insight into how industry and government alignment can shape the next phase of India’s digital and employment-led growth.
Raymond Group’s engineering arm is scaling up its presence in defence and aerospace with a major investment in Andhra Pradesh. J.K. Meini Global Aerospace Limited, a Raymond Group subsidiary, is setting up a state-of-the-art advanced aerospace manufacturing facility in the Sri Sathya Sai district with an investment of ₹510 crore. The facility is expected to generate around 1,400 direct jobs and manufacture high-precision, engine-critical components for global original equipment manufacturers and tier-one suppliers, firmly integrating Andhra Pradesh into the global aerospace supply chain. Speaking to Business Today, Naveen Sharma, Chief Financial Officer of the Engineering Business at Raymond, outlines the group’s long-term aerospace strategy, its focus on moving up the value chain from component manufacturing to complex assemblies and systems, and its commitment to Make in India and export-led growth. He highlights how Raymond’s components already power civil aviation platforms worldwide and how the Andhra Pradesh facility will further strengthen India’s aerospace self-reliance. Sharma also explains why Andhra Pradesh was chosen as the investment destination, citing its clear aerospace vision, execution-driven governance and highly collaborative investor facilitation. From swift decision-making and single-window clearances to strong support from the state leadership and industry departments, the experience, he says, has been seamless and encouraging. The new facility marks a significant step in Raymond’s expanding aerospace footprint and India’s ambition to become a global manufacturing hub for defence and aviation.
In this episode of – Andhra Pradesh 360 Podcast, Gaurav Hazra, Vice President & Head – Government Affairs, Asia Pacific, Cognizant, shares insights on how global technology companies assess digital talent ecosystems and why Andhra Pradesh, particularly Visakhapatnam, is gaining prominence as an emerging GCC destination. Hazra explains how the strength of the university ecosystem, the availability of fresh and experienced talent, and Vizag’s ability to attract professionals from outside the region are critical to building sustainable global capability centres. He highlights that the next wave of GCC expansion in India is likely to come from mid-sized global firms and secondary locations for large GCCs, making emerging hubs like Vizag an attractive, cost-effective, and talent-rich choice. The discussion also explores the importance of social infrastructure, quality of life, and long-term policy vision in shaping investment decisions. As Andhra Pradesh doubles down on building Vizag as a technology anchor, the state’s focus on talent, infrastructure, and execution speed could position it strongly in India’s next phase of GCC-led growth.
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