■ Kurnool as a renewable energy hub

■ Chittoor and Kadapa as electronics manufacturing hubs

■ Godavari districts as an aqua hub

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Minister for Education, Information Technology (IT) and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, expressed confidence that Andhra Pradesh will emerge as a global digital technology hub under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

Inaugurating the two-day Andhra Pradesh Digital Technology Summit-2025 organized by AP Digital Technology Industry (AP DGT) and Software Technology Park of India (STPI) in Visakhapatnam, Lokesh emphasized the importance of innovation and deep technology in driving economic and social progress.

He highlighted the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, quantum computing, healthtech, edutech, and infrastructure technology in the future.

“I am confident that Andhra Pradesh will soon transform into a global digital technology hub by improving innovation and deep tech skills,” Lokesh said. He stressed the need for collaboration between IT, Electronics, Medtech, and Smart Technologies to address social issues.

Lokesh announced that the state aims to become a $2 trillion economy by 2047. Recognizing the foundation laid by Chandrababu Naidu's Vision-2020, Lokesh expressed his commitment to realizing Vision-2047. He acknowledged the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that Rs 2 lakh crore is currently being invested in the state.

Lokesh outlined plans for decentralized development, including promoting Kurnool as a renewable energy hub, Chittoor and Kadapa as electronics manufacturing hubs, and the Godavari districts as an aqua hub. He also announced the establishment of the largest chemical park in North Andhra.

Visakhapatnam MP, Bharat, acknowledged the state's current financial challenges but emphasized the government's efforts to overcome them. He stressed the importance of the next five years for the state's development and pledged to create the necessary ecosystem to establish Visakhapatnam as an IT hub.

The event was attended by DTNF Chairman Sridhar Kosaraju, KDEM Chairman BV Naidu, STPI Director C Kavitha, and ITAAP President Lakshmi Mukkavilli.