Business tycoons laud AP's thrust on speed of doing business, Karan Adani says many are lining up for investment

Several business tycoons on Friday praised the Andhra Pradesh Government for initiating a slew of measures to become a role model in ensuring speed of doing business along with ease of doing business.

"We are very happy that AP is seizing the opportunities to bring mega investments from all over the world by paying attention to the speed of doing business," remarked Kiran Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd (APSEZ),

Speaking at the two-day CII Partnership Summit here, he said they have already partnered MoU with Google and Airtel to implement USD15 billion AI Data Center in Visakhapatnam besides executing a technology park in the city.

He described IT Minister Nara Lokesh for chanting speed doing business not just as a slogan," it is a lived experience of investors like us. You speak the language of youth, the logic of the technology, and the matrix of the board room. Your commitment and scaling digital infrastructure, new agenda stress turning Andhra Pradesh into India's fastest growing start-up State."

He said the Adani Group is investing nearly Rs.1 lakh crore in various projects in AP due to proactive policies. He said ""AP is not just a destination…It’s the destiny of Adani’s future." He told Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh that "we will match your speed. We will match your scale. But most importantly…We will match your spirit.”

He said the Vizag Tech Park - the flagship of their commitment is not another tech park, it is the foundation of India's Digital Sovereignty. The project envisages an investment of nearly Rs.22,000 crore.

Karan Adani said "AP is blessed. It is the Eastern Gate of India to the rest of the world. but geography does not create history alone, but a vision document. We are in the presence of the visionary, who rewrote the modern industrial India Chadrababu Naidu. Sir you are not only Chief Minister, you are an institution. Three decades ago, when many saw uncertainty, you only saw the opportunity to transform Hyderabad. You once again remind us that the government can be visionary, administration can be entrepreneur, and the government head can take a startup model, always building, always innovating, always believing. You sir the original CEO of Andhra Pradesh, Under your captaincy this state once again ready to take off.."

On his visit to Visakhapatnam, he said "It's a joy to return to Visakhapatnam, the City of Destiny. Where the Waters of Sea leads the ocean of ambitions, and every wave seems to declare destiny made here. Because destiny is something we are not inherent, It is something we create. In AP I feel this creative energy seen everywhere, in its people, in its governance."

GMR Group Chairman GM Rao said Chief Minister Naidu championed India’s first greenfield airport in Hyderabad, which became an economic catalyst and transformed Hyderabad into a global IT hub. That vision did not just build an airport; it built an economic ecosystem. He said that history is now repeating itself with Vizag set to become the economic capital of the east.

CMD of Bajaj Finserv Ltd Sanjiv Bajaj, said that P is a strategic growth engine for India with its nearly 1,000 km coastline, robust infrastructure, and proactive governance. It has emerged as a gateway for trade, technology, and digital and tech innovation, and underlined the need to empower and skill the youth.

Shobana Kamineni, Promoter Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited & Executive Chairperson, Apollo Health Co. Ltd, noted that the State has made remarkable strides in healthcare with its focus on improving healthcare indicators, expanding medical education, and leveraging tech for rural outreach. “Initiatives like DR NTR Vaidya Seva and telemedicine programs have brought quality care closer to communities. As we look ahead, the demand for advanced healthcare, infrastructure, and specialised services is only going to grow,” she added.

Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd, said that AP is going to drive key industrial sectors that will drive manufacturing in India, including shipbuilding. “Vizag has a tremendous ecosystem and a deep knowledge base in shipbuilding. This is a key enabler to create a large new shipbuilding complex, which will be a growth driver for the Indian industry,” he said.

Sudarshan Venu, CMD, TVS Motor Company, said that India is well on its way to realise the ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, powered by manufacturing, services, and access to many new markets under the many free trade deals. “In this vision, Andhra Pradesh has a very special part to play. With its strategic location, Andhra is one of the most attractive investment destinations in India today, supported by a dynamic vision and strong governance,” he said.

Yusuf Ali, CMD, Lulu Group International, said that AP is boldly reshaping its future with visionary projects that promise to create thousands of jobs and drive economic growth. He said that the State has a major role to play in India's journey to becoming a global economic powerhouse.

Rajiv Memani, President, CII said, “India is the fastest-growing economy, not only relying on traditional sectors but also fully promoting emerging ones. Growth in sectors including semiconductors, defence, energy transition, and services, with two new GCC centres established, reflects confidence in India, its people, and its technology. India’s AI trajectory is exemplary, a domain in which the Government, startups, and the entire ecosystem remain bullish, alongside data centres. The investor-friendly policy of Andhra Pradesh is highly encouraging for the Industry.”

Dr Suchitra K Ella, Vice President, CII, said that India’s path to becoming a developed nation is anchored in self-sustaining growth driven by two powerful pillars – energy and manufacturing. She noted that ‘Aatmanirbharta’ is not about isolation, but partnership, innovation, and shared growth. India stands ready to work with the world to co-create solutions, strengthen value chains, and build a resilient global future, where prosperity is shared and sustainable, she added.

Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII encouraged participants to put forward ideas that can benefit India and the world and urged companies to engage and explore opportunities and foster meaningful partnerships and collaborations.