,Amaravati, 04 June (H.S.)

Andhra Pradesh IT, Electronics and Education Minister Nara Lokesh on his visit to Russia today participated in the prestigious St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF '26) conference and held high-level meetings with international giants with an aim to make AP a global investment hub

Partnership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) sectors:

Lokesh had a long discussion with Albert Yefimov, Senior Vice President of Sberbank, Russia's largest financial and technology company. The main focus is on quantum computing, digital innovation, and workforce development. He also called for exploring the possibility of integrating the advanced AI model developed by Russia called 'GigaChat' into India's banking and public administration system. Also, it is proposed to share biometric anti-fraud technology to enhance the security of domestic UPI transactions.

An invitation to the robotics industry!

In a tweet, he said, Extremely productive discussions with representatives of leading Russian microelectronics companies. Lokesh revealed that he personally met Anton Zakharov, head of international projects at Element Group, a leader in the production of semiconductor components RFID chips and smart card modules in Russia, as well as Yulia Suhoroslova, CEO of Nanotronica. He invited Element Group, which has a lion's share of Russia's microelectronics sector and an extensive design and manufacturing network, to invest in Andhra Pradesh.

In his interaction Lokesh made strategic proposals to transform various parts of the state into international technology hubs. He described Vizag city to the Russian delegates as an ideal location for setting up advanced RFID smart card chip assembly units. The manufacturing sector of high-tech power semiconductors, which is very important for the electric vehicles and solar market, should be set up in Nellore he proposed.

Port-based industries - & Electronics:

Lokesh called upon the representatives of RusChem Group to set up port-based chemical processing plants in Visakhapatnam or Kakinada, utilising the long coastline of Andhra Pradesh. Russian companies have responded positively to the supply of raw materials (chemical components) required for the pharma sector in AP. Along with this, he held a special meeting with the management of 'Element Group' and explained the 'Speed of Doing Business' policies of the state government to make AP a leader in the field of semiconductor manufacturing and electronics.

AP Branding Internationally:

Earlier On his arrival in Moscow on 2 June, Minister Lokesh was accorded a warm welcome by the officials of the Indian Embassy there and the diaspora. He is scheduled to meet a few more global investors during the 6-day visit, which will continue till June 7. A trusting India-Russia relationship is rare in the current global uncertainties, he said. The visit is aimed at generating massive employment and economic progress in the state, he added.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Nagaraj Rao