AP to get its first GCC innovation campus, MoU signed with leading global GCC major ANSR

In a significant development that is expected to change the IT landscape of Andhra Pradesh, IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday signed MoU with the ANSR, a global leader in establishing and managing Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in Visakhapatnam.

The MoU was signed during Lokesh’s roadshow in Bengaluru. The agreement with ANSR will lead to investment in the Madhurawada IT cluster to build a state-of-the-art innovation campus.

Over the next five years, the campus is expected to generate more than 10,000 jobs.

ASNR is a global firm specialising in the development of GCCs. Cumulatively ASNR has helped establish 135 GCCs with around $2 billion in investments.

ANSR is also expected to assist global companies in leveraging Andhra Pradesh's rich talent ecosystem. Speaking on the occasion, ANSR CEO Lalit Ahuja said, “Visakhapatnam is poised to do wonders with its combination of world-class talent, strong infrastructure, and visionary leadership. The innovation campus we are establishing here will become a preferred destination for leading global enterprises.”

Minister Lokesh remarked that the State's larger mission is to generate two million jobs over the next four years, with 5,00,000 of those in the IT and GCC sectors alone.

“We’re beginning this journey from Visakhapatnam, not just as a target but as a movement. Visakhapatnam is a unique blend of the best aspects of Bengaluru and Goa. Our vision is to transform it into not only a business-friendly city but also a magnet for the top talent,” he said.

The Minister remarked, “Visakhapatnam has already caught the eye of global corporations. Google is setting up its first and largest data center outside the US here. We are developing India’s largest data city in Visakhapatnam, with enhanced cloud-computing infrastructure, AI labs, analytics hubs, and computing clusters. This is a clear indication that the city is ready for global digital leadership.”

“We are providing the necessary infrastructure to support this mission. GCCs play a pivotal role in our economic growth strategy, and attracting global players within a few months is our first major achievement. We’ve already allocated land at highly subsidized rates (Re.0.99 per acre) to companies like TCS and Cognizant. Our target is to bring the top 100 IT companies in India to Andhra Pradesh. Beyond incentives, we are focused on building a comprehensive ecosystem,” said Lokesh.

He also added that the government is working on aligning academic curricula with GCC needs and strengthening areas such as cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, and product engineering in collaboration with various companies to ensure that the state continues to generate capable human resources skilled enough to participate in the technology revolution.

"Under the Emerging Cities Framework, we’re also developing smart infrastructure in cities like Amaravati, Tirupati, Anantapur, and Kakinada. To improve air connectivity, the Bhogapuram International Airport is under construction,” he added.