CII Summit: CM Naidu unveils plan for India’s first drone taxis; AP signs major MoUs on day 1

Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu announced that India’s first drone taxis will be launched from Andhra Pradesh within the next two years.

On the first day of the CII Partnership Summit, CM Naidu highlighted massive opportunities in rare earth minerals, value-addition industries and tourism. The CM invited investors to explore AP’s potential across hotels, events, MICE tourism and destination development.

First drone city launched

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, along with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, virtually launched India’s first Drone City at the CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam.

The Drone City—part of the upcoming Space City and Drone Hub—will come up in Orvakal Industrial Area, Kurnool, spread across 300 acres within a larger 2,621-acre ecosystem near Kurnool Airport, with excellent road, rail and air connectivity.

“Advanced drone capabilities are becoming central to India’s defence, especially after Operation Sindhur, and said AP’s Drone City will accelerate India’s push toward Atmanirbhar Bharat in high-end drone manufacturing,” said Goyal.

MoUs with 40 companies

Andhra Pradesh attracted investments to a tune of Rs 3,49,476 crore by signing MoUs with forty companies on the first day of CII partnership summit today. It may be noted that the state government signed MoUs with 35 companies with an investments of Rs 3,65,304 core yesterday even before commencement of CII partnership summit. With this the total investments in two days comes around Rs 7,14,780 crore by signing MoU with 75 companies providing employment opportunities to 5,42,361 youth.

MoU with Lulu

Meanwhile the Lulu International group signed MoU with Andhra Pradesh government in the presence of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Lulu group chairman MD Yousful Ali towards investments in various sectors including developing a Lulu Mall in Visakhapatnam at a cost of Rs 1,066 crore and food processing units.

The Lulu group chairman said that the group will start export of mango, guava pulp and spices from January. He said Logistics and Procurement export centre will be set up in Rayalaseema soon.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu asked the Lulu group chairman to purchase agri products from farmers in Andhra Pradesh. He said that the Lulu mall is not a shopping mall and it will help to promote tourism in Visakhapatnam.

What are the key investments?

Minister Lokesh discusses key investments with Kirloskar, Shyam Metalics

On Day 1 of the CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, Nara Lokesh held a series of high-level meetings with global industry leaders to accelerate the state’s industrial, renewable energy, coastal research and manufacturing ecosystem.

Major discussions were held with Kirloskar Brothers Ltd., Shyam Metalics and Energy Ltd., and representatives from James Cook University (Australia), followed by the signing of electronics sector MoUs worth Rs 27,909 crore.

Kirloskar Brothers encouraged to set up a hydro-turbine manufacturing unit in AP

Minister Lokesh met Alok Kirloskar, MD of Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL), and invited the company to establish a hydro-turbine and solar pumping systems manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh, aligned with the state’s Green Hydrogen Valley vision and renewable energy goals.

He proposed setting up a dedicated vertical turbine pump plant for irrigation, municipal and industrial applications and suggested deploying IoT-based sewage pumping and water-management systems across industrial corridors, especially the Visakhapatnam–Chennai Industrial Corridor. He also encouraged the establishment of an SPP Pumps facility in the state to manufacture UL/FM-certified fire pumps and large valves (up to 2400 mm BFV), given the rising demand for advanced safety systems in industrial clusters and smart cities. Alok Kirloskar said that KBL exports to 80 countries and already operates offices in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, adding that the proposals will be examined.

Meeting with Shyam Metalics and Energy

In a meeting with Sheegith Agarwal, MD of Shyam Metalics & Energy Ltd. (SMEL), Minister Lokesh highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s favourable industrial environment and encouraged the company to establish a value-added downstream steel production unit in the state.

He noted the upcoming Rs 1.35 lakh crore ArcelorMittal steel plant near Anakapalli and urged Shyam Metalics to explore ancillary units in the region.

Shyam Metalics—valued at Rs 30,000 crore and employing nearly 5,000 people—exports to Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Agarwal said the company plans to invest Rs 2,500 crore in the next five years and will review the proposals shared by the state government.

Engagement with James Cook University and Australia’s Consul-General

Minister Lokesh also met Australia’s Consul-General Silai Zaki and representatives from James Cook University (JCU).

He urged JCU to collaborate with Andhra Pradesh universities on coastal and maritime research, covering fisheries, aquaculture and coastal ecosystem management.

He encouraged them to introduce skill-development programs in environmental management, healthcare, and sustainable tourism. He also proposed joint studies on tropical diseases, rural healthcare and pandemic preparedness; the formation of a Tropical Water Research Group to build water-resource management expertise; and support for technology and policy research aligned with Andhra Pradesh’s green-energy goals.

Vijayawada-Singapore flights soon

Later the Singapore government signed MoU with Andhra Pradesh for cooperation in urban governance, digital governance transformation and Sustainability in the presence of Chief Minister Chandrababu and Minister Nara Lokesh and Singapore minister Gan Siow Huang, Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu and Minister Nadendla Manohar.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said Andhra Pradesh is eager to work with Singapore which runs industries with innovative ideas. He said Singapore developed by adopting best public policies. Minister Lokesh opined that it is a good beginning to work with Singapore.

Union Minister Rammohan Naidu announced introducing flights between Vijayawada and Singapore for three days in a week soon.

AP attracts Rs 27,909 crore in electronics investments; 17 MoUs signed

In the presence of Minister Lokesh, 17 electronics companies signed MoUs worth Rs 27,909 crore, expected to generate 53,879 jobs across Andhra Pradesh.

Key MoUs include:

• Yeemak Pvt. Ltd – Rs 11,000 crore; 20,500 jobs

• Daikin Airconditioning – Rs 2,500 crore; 2,500 jobs

• NPSPL Specialty Chemicals – Rs 2,400 crore; 400 jobs

• Epack Group – Rs 1,416 crore; 5,322 jobs

• SCIC Ventures LLP – Rs 1,704 crore; 2,630 jobs

• Shyama SGS – Rs 1,595 crore; 1,894 jobs

• Neolync Design – Rs 1,150 crore; 2,100 jobs

• CIPSA TEC – Rs 1,140 crore; 1,251 jobs

• Dixon Technologies (expansion) – Rs 1,000 crore; 10,000 jobs

• Amber Enterprises – Rs 400 crore; 1,500 jobs

• Meena Circuits – Rs 350 crore; 819 jobs

• ReFibes Innovation – Rs 350 crore; 450 jobs

2,500 delegates took part

Delivering a keynote address at the inaugural session of the 30th CII Partnership Summit 2025 held at Andhra University grounds here today, the Chief Minister, expressing happiness over the participation of over 2,500 trade delegates across the globe, including 522 representing 72 countries, said that Visakhapatnam is a beautiful and safe city and is going to emerge as a destination for IT and investments.

Inviting the trade delegates to the CII partnership summit next year, and he is ready to host it at Visakhapatnam itself.

He said that, as per the suggestion of Union Minister of Commerce Peeyush Goyal, he is ready to allot land facing the sea to develop a world-class ITPO convention centre in Visakhapatnam.