Visakhapatnam, November 2026 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has invited leading companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to explore investment opportunities in the state's food processing, agriculture and export sectors, highlighting the potential of Rayalaseema as an emerging global horticulture hub.
The Chief Minister held discussions with UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, who is visiting Visakhapatnam to participate in the CII Partnership Summit. The meeting focused on strengthening economic cooperation and attracting investments across several sectors in Andhra Pradesh.
During the interaction, Naidu explained that the state government was developing Rayalaseema as a global horticulture hub through an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore. He said fruits cultivated in the region were already being exported to international markets, creating opportunities to expand agricultural exports and value-added food production.
Naidu invited UAE-based agrifood company Silal to participate in the food cluster proposed to be established by the UAE. He said Andhra Pradesh offered significant investment opportunities in agricultural procurement, food processing, storage and exports.
The proposed establishment of Dubai-based Floormaster industry in Chittoor district was also discussed. The Chief Minister urged the UAE Minister to facilitate an early decision on the proposed food cluster, emphasising the potential for stronger collaboration between Andhra Pradesh and UAE companies.
He also highlighted investment opportunities in the maritime, aerospace and defence sectors and encouraged UAE businesses to consider the state as a destination for their future projects.
Andhra Pradesh seeks WIPO partnership to promote innovation
In another significant engagement during the summit, Naidu met World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Director General Daren Tang to discuss ways to strengthen intellectual property protection, innovation and research in Andhra Pradesh.
The Chief Minister sought WIPO's support in securing international recognition for the state's innovation and creative activities while improving awareness of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) among startups, entrepreneurs and businesses.
The discussions included a proposal to establish a WIPO–Andhra Pradesh Academy and organise joint training programmes on patents, trademarks, industrial designs and technology protection. The proposed initiatives would benefit students, researchers, startup founders and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Naidu also requested WIPO's assistance in obtaining Geographical Indication (GI) tags for Andhra Pradesh's handloom products, handicrafts and other traditional local products. He stressed the need to expand international markets for existing GI-tagged products and improve their quality standards, branding and global visibility.
The Chief Minister said the state government was encouraging young entrepreneurs and supporting startups through the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub. He invited WIPO to work closely with the government to strengthen the startup ecosystem and promote innovation-led economic growth.
Japan invited to explore industrial and skill development opportunities
Naidu also met Japanese Ambassador Keiichi Ono to discuss expanding India-Japan economic cooperation through industrial investments, skill development, critical minerals, steel manufacturing and green energy.
The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh was implementing a transparent industrial incentive policy to attract domestic and international investments. An escrow account mechanism had been introduced to ensure timely disbursement of industrial incentives and support the state's Speed of Doing Business initiative.
Highlighting the importance of developing a skilled workforce, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had a large youth population that could be transformed into an industry-ready workforce through specialised training. He sought cooperation from Japanese companies in providing industry-oriented skill development programmes.
The Japanese representatives responded positively and expressed their willingness to provide training to employees working in industries across Andhra Pradesh. Such cooperation, the discussions indicated, could help bridge skill gaps and improve the availability of trained personnel for industrial units.
Critical minerals and steel supply chain discussed
The Japanese delegation also raised the issue of securing a steady supply of rare earth minerals to Japan, noting that cooperation in this area could strengthen the India-Japan partnership in critical mineral supply chains.
The representatives further sought the state government's support in ensuring uninterrupted imports of semi-finished steel products from their parent company in Japan. These materials are required for final-stage processing at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India plant.
The discussions with UAE, WIPO and Japanese representatives reflect Andhra Pradesh's efforts to attract foreign investment, expand exports, strengthen intellectual property protection and build international partnerships across agriculture, manufacturing, technology and skill development.
With the CII Partnership Summit bringing global policymakers, investors and business leaders to Visakhapatnam, the state government is seeking to position Andhra Pradesh as an investment destination offering opportunities across multiple sectors.
