Visakhapatnam, 13 November (H.S.): Andhra Pradesh attracted proposed investments of Rs 1,40,705 crore through 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), with an estimated employment potential of 10,472 jobs, on the concluding day of the 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026 on Friday.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu witnessed the signing of the agreements, which covered manufacturing, aerospace and defence, renewable energy, ports, shipbuilding and other sectors.

Among the major proposals, JSW Steel committed to an investment proposal of Rs 15,000 crore in manufacturing, with an estimated employment potential of 2,500 jobs. In the aerospace and defence sector, Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited proposed an investment of Rs 510 crore, expected to generate 350 jobs, while Hathor Rockets Private Limited proposed Rs 250 crore and 200 jobs.

In renewable energy, Greenzone Renewable Energy Private Limited proposed an investment of Rs 8,000 crore, with an employment potential of 200 jobs. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) proposed an investment of Rs 6,600 crore, expected to generate 800 jobs.

Kakinada Seaports Limited signed an MoU involving Rs 6,452 crore in the ports, shipbuilding and maritime sector, with an estimated 852 jobs. EIH Limited also signed an agreement for a project under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), involving Rs 175 crore and 150 jobs.

Separately, the state government issued a Government Order for the expansion of Hindalco Industries Limited in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector under the jurisdiction of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC). The expansion involves an investment of Rs 880 crore and is expected to create 447 jobs.

The summit also saw corporate social responsibility initiatives. Hero MotoCorp signed a P4 MoU to provide scholarships worth Rs 32.8 crore to 720 IIT students under the Brij Mohan Lall Munjal Scholarship Programme. ITC Limited entered into a P4 partnership to improve living conditions in 100 villages, including the development of 15 model villages.

Addressing industrialists after the signing ceremony, Naidu urged companies to move beyond signing investment agreements and focus on grounding projects and completing them within stipulated timelines. He assured investors of the state government's support in facilitating project implementation.

The Chief Minister said the government had extended support to 25,000 Bangaru Kutumbalu (Golden Families) under its P4 initiative, which seeks to connect economically disadvantaged families with individuals and organisations capable of supporting their progress.

Emphasising inclusive growth, Naidu said wealth creation should go hand in hand with improvements in education, healthcare and the economic and social conditions of disadvantaged communities. He also cited an example of a woman from Kuppam who, with support from TVS Company, moved from working at a brick kiln to becoming its owner and employing 20 people.

Referring to investment opportunities, Naidu said the government had earmarked 5,000 acres near Tirupati for the space sector. He identified semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, aerospace and defence as sectors offering investment opportunities in the state.

He also invited premier educational institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology, to use Andhra Pradesh as a base for research and development.

The Chief Minister referred to a report by OP Jindal Global University that placed Andhra Pradesh second nationally in the Access to Equality Index.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar