The government of Andhra Pradesh actively courted UK investments during a roadshow in London on Tuesday, positioning the southern Indian state as a prime destination for international partnerships in technology and energy. Organised in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the event at the Institute of Directors (IoD) highlighted Andhra Pradesh's rapid growth, with IT, Electronics, and Communications Minister Nara Lokesh emphasising the state's efficient business environment.

Lokesh addressed over 150 senior executives from sectors including advanced manufacturing, finance, energy, and technology, underscoring the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government's achievements in securing investments exceeding USD 114 billion (Rs 10 lakh crore) in the past 15 months, complete with land allocations.

Lokesh described Andhra Pradesh as the "sunrise state" and the "best place to do business in India", driven by fast approvals, transparent land allotment, and proactive government support. He outlined a vision to transform the state into a USD 2.4 trillion economy by 2047, focusing on booming industries such as data centres, semiconductors, renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and AI-led innovation. The minister highlighted the state's unique resources, including solar, wind, and pumped storage capabilities, enabling 100% renewable energy-based infrastructure.

Examples like the ArcelorMittal Steel Plant and Adani Data Centres illustrated the government's hand-holding approach, ensuring seamless coordination with central authorities. Lokesh also engaged in bilateral meetings with representatives from major firms, including the Hinduja Group, Rolls-Royce, Apollo Tyres, ArcelorMittal, and Coventry University.

The roadshow forms part of Andhra Pradesh's global outreach strategy ahead of the CII Partnership Summit 2025, set for November 14-15 in Visakhapatnam. Participants included executives from Ericsson, Cyient, Evante Global, AI OpenSec, Bank of America, and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Harshul Asnani, President and Head of Europe business at Tech Mahindra and a member of the CII India-UK Business Forum, praised the event for reinforcing Andhra Pradesh's dynamic appeal. "With its strong leadership, forward-looking policies, and focus on technology and sustainability, Andhra Pradesh is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening India-UK economic ties," Asnani stated.

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Andhra Pradesh, with India's second-longest coastline and a decentralised, cluster-based growth model, leverages its infrastructure, human capital, and natural resources to attract foreign direct investment. The state's emphasis on "speed of doing business" has yielded successes like TCS's entry into Visakhapatnam and LG Electronics' impending investments.

This initiative aligns with broader India-UK efforts to enhance bilateral trade, which reached USD 20.36 billion in 2023-24, amid post-Brexit opportunities and a renewed focus on sustainable development.

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