WEF 2025: Lokesh meets Indian envoy in Switzerland to discuss pharma investments in AP

Zurich/Davos: The minister for Education, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh sought the cooperation of the Indian ambassador in Switzerland Mrudul Kumar, for setting up pharma companies in Andhra Pradesh.

Lokesh, along with chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, had a meeting with the Swiss ambassador at the Hilton Hotel in Zurich on Monday

Lokesh invites pharma giants to set up centres in AP

Stating that the pharma industry in Switzerland is worth over $100 billion, Lokesh sought the cooperation of the Swiss envoy in setting up units by pharma giants like Novartis, Roche, Lonza and Alcon in Andhra Pradesh. Over 27,300 Indians are now working for various engineering, IT and pharmaceutical, para-medical companies in Switzerland, Lokesh informed Mrudul Kumar that the atmosphere in Andhra Pradesh is very favourable for investments.

Recently CM Naidu announced a new industrial policy and several investor-friendly schemes, Lokesh said and informed the Swiss envoy of India that the AP State Government is extending attractive incentives to companies in sectors like manufacturing, textile, missionary, hardware and electricals, rail component manufacturing, pharma and manufacturing medical equipment.

“We are also taking steps to establish a skill university and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) university in the State. We are seeking close cooperation between Switzerland and Andhra Pradesh for this purpose,” Lokesh said.

Switzerland has several renowned universities like the University of Zurich, the University of Basel, the University of Bern and the University of Geneva, the IT minister said and pointed out that Switzerland is providing a work-from-home facility for the services of experts in various fields.

Cost efficiency and reduce the gap in technical skills

Informing the ambassador that the skills and expertise of women too can be utilised to reduce the cost efficiency and technical skill gap, Lokesh sought the support and cooperation of the Swiss for this purpose.

Mrudul Kumar said that over 350 Swiss companies like Nestle, Novartis and STMicroelectronics have set up their units in India providing 1.3 lakh jobs. Similarly, Indian-based companies like TCS, Infosys, HCL and Mahindra along with some banking and insurance companies have their units in Switzerland, he said.