CM Naidu invites Singapore investments, highlights AP’s potential in ports and green energy

Singapore: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu emphasised that Andhra Pradesh offers abundant opportunities for investment across multiple sectors, including ports and green energy. He noted that progressive policies are currently being implemented to facilitate investments from Singapore-based enterprises.

As part of his official visit to Singapore, CM Naidu met with Shilpak Ambule, the Indian High Commissioner to Singapore. During the meeting, the high commissioner highlighted the significant recognition and respect that the ‘CBN Brand’ commands within Singapore’s government and industrial sectors.

Diplomatic and economic relationships

Ambule shared insights into Singapore’s achievements in diverse areas, its robust economic growth, and the effective public policies being implemented there. He also outlined the contributions and presence of the Indian community in Singapore.

He briefed CM Chandrababu Naidu on the strategies being adopted in Singapore across key sectors such as healthcare, green hydrogen, aviation, semiconductors, ports and industrial development. He further emphasised the strong diplomatic and economic relationship between India and Singapore, noting that Singaporean firms are particularly interested in exploring investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh.

In response, CM Naidu recalled the earlier collaboration with Singapore on the Amaravati capital city project. He noted that, due to certain developments during the 2019–2024 period, Singapore had to withdraw from the initiative. He affirmed that one of the objectives of this visit is to address past misunderstandings and correct the narrative through renewed engagement.

Green hydrogen projects

The chief minister shared details of the state’s newly introduced policies, aimed at attracting investments across sectors. He reiterated the state’s ambitious goal of achieving 160 gigawatts of green energy generation. He informed the High Commissioner that green hydrogen projects have already been launched in Visakhapatnam (in partnership with NTPC) and Kakinada.

Further, under the India Quantum Mission, Andhra Pradesh is set to establish the country’s first-ever Quantum Valley in Amaravati. CM Naidu also announced that global tech leader Google is setting up a data centre in Visakhapatnam.

Strategic gateway for Singaporean investments

Highlighting the state’s industrial potential, he pointed out that regions like Rayalaseema offer highly conducive conditions for the establishment of defence, aerospace, electronics and automobile manufacturing units. He expressed that Andhra Pradesh can serve as a strategic gateway for Singaporean investments into India and urged for the necessary support to facilitate this.

Ambule also pointed out that 83 per cent of Singapore’s population benefits from public housing projects. In response, Minister P Narayana provided an overview of Andhra Pradesh’s housing initiatives.

Minister for IT and Education, Nara Lokesh, outlined the steps being taken in the education sector, along with the government’s future roadmap. He discussed the presence of leading academic institutions already operating in the state and confirmed that Andhra Pradesh is fully prepared to host additional prestigious institutions in the near future.

Special demand for tech talent from Andhra Pradesh

The Indian High Commissioner informed CM Chandrababu Naidu that technology professionals from Andhra Pradesh are in particularly high demand across Southeast Asia, especially in Singapore. He observed that, much like the United States, Singapore is becoming a major hub attracting Indian students and skilled professionals.

He further noted that the Indian High Commission in Singapore is working closely with the Andhra Pradesh government to facilitate collaboration in this area.

Ambule elaborated on several sectors where Singaporean companies are exploring investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh, including electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, shipbuilding, port operations, data centres and pharmaceuticals.

Major Asia-Pacific firms headquartered in Singapore, including STT, Keppel, CapitaLand, Equinix, and PSA are considering potential expansion in Andhra Pradesh.

The meeting also focused on collaboration in fields such as artificial intelligence, startups, medical device research, and academic partnerships between universities in AP and Singapore.