Global Investors Summit 2023: Visakhapatnam readies for top industrialists, delegates

Visakhapatnam: Ahead of the prestigious AP Global Investors’ Summit (GIS) 2023, scheduled for 3 and 4 March at Andhra University Engineering Grounds in Visakhapatnam, the district officials are busy making the arrangements and ensuring tight security.

GIS 2023 is focused on 13 sectors, including aerospace and defense, food processing, automobile and electric vehicle, electronics & IT, healthcare & medical equipment, infrastructure, MSMEs & startups, petroleum & petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals & life sciences, renewable energy, skill development & education, textiles, and tourism.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday tweeted a video on the preparations for the AP Global Investors’ Summit. He welcomed everyone to come and experience the beauty and vibrancy of our Andhra Pradesh!

Bigwigs to visit Visakhapatnam

Giants of the industry like Mukesh Ambani, Tata group chairman Chandra Sekharan, Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra, and chairperson of Adani group Gautam Adani are some of the bigwigs attending the GIS 2023. More than 6,000 people will participate, including industrialists from Canada, the UK, the USA, Dubai, and other countries. State industries and IT minister Gudivada Amarnath and director of industries G. Srijana personally invited Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani earlier this month.

Nodal officers appointed

According to district collector A. Mallikarjuna, nodal officers have been appointed for various tasks. He conducted a review meeting to discuss the ongoing arrangements with the director of industries G. Srijana, GVMC commissioner P. Raja Babu, and joint collector K.S. Viswanath.

During the inauguration of GIS, a laser show followed by a recital of the “Maa Telugu Thalliki” song will be organised. Special cultural programmes will be organised at MGM Park near Beach Road for the delegates. The venue will have exhibition stalls and a media briefing hall. Every person will be given an entry pass for GIS.

Investments/job opportunities

The government will showcase the three industrial corridors—Visakhapatnam-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, and Hyderabad-Bengaluru—as big advantages for investment opportunities. State industries and IT minister Gudivada Amarnath said, “Global Investors Summit aims to bring investments and create job opportunities for lakhs of youth. Around 20 countries are ready to do business with Andhra Pradesh in various sectors. It would be successful in signing MoUs worth Rs 1.87 lakh crores.”

Between 2014-2019, the state conducted three summits and signed MoUs for Rs. 18.87 lakh crores. But only Rs. 1.8 lakh crores materialised. Further, the average annual investment during that period was Rs. 11,994 crores. Under the current government, the average annual investment between 2019-2022 was Rs. 15,693 crores. From June 2019 till now, investments of Rs. 1,81,821 crores have been received and 1,40,903 people have got jobs.

Tight security

With the GIS to be attended by Union ministers, noted industrialists, eminent persons, and foreigners, Visakhapatnam City police have planned a four-layer security measure. More than 3,000 police personnel from various wings, including Greyhounds and Octopus besides commandos and specialised squads, will be engaged for security at Andhra University Engineering College grounds.

City police commissioner Ch. Srikanth said they will also use drone cameras, CCTVs, and other security systems to monitor security aspects. Each place, such as the airport, AU grounds, and hotels, will have separate security teams.

A few days before the GIS, the police intensified night patrolling to identify people with criminal records.

Mobile app

The Andhra Pradesh government has launched a registration link (https://www.advantageap.in/ ) for those interested in participating in the GIS. In the app, the participants must register their names and sectors, such as MSME, startups, and innovations, depending on their investment interests.

Hotels booked

With thousands of people coming to Visakhapatnam for the GIS, most of the hotels in the city, especially those in the stretch of Visakhapatnam beach, have been blocked for the guests. Every hotel with investors accommodated will have a help desk. Medical teams and an ambulance will be arranged at the hotels, AU Engineering College Grounds, and the airport.

City beautification

Beautification works in the main junctions and the Beach road were also taken as a priority for GIS. All tourist attractions in Visakhapatnam and nearby areas were renovated. Walls in all major junctions, especially Andhra University, were painted with murals. Some of the main beaches near the hotels are being developed for investors who will visit the areas.