In continued pitch for investments, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu meets Bill Gates, heads of top companies in Davos

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and IT Minister N. Lokesh with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: PTI

On the third day of his visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on January 22, 2025 (Wednesday) held talks with the heads of leading companies to attract investments to the State.

Mr. Naidu met Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in Davos. During the meeting, they discussed key topics such as establishment of an AI University, Innovation & Incubation, a Center of Excellence for Health, and making Andhra Pradesh the gateway to South India.

In another meeting, Mr. Naidu urged Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian to explore the possibility of setting up a design centre in Visakhapatnam, where Google was developing its chips for servers. He sought establishment of a manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh to integrate Google Cloud’s server supply chain. Additionally, the Chief Minister suggested that Andhra Pradesh be made the central hub for server maintenance services, and assured Mr. Kurian of the government’s full cooperation.

Recently, Google had signed an MoU with the State government to set up its Data City in Visakhapatnam. Google had also signed agreements with the government to develop the use of Artificial Intelligence and enhance skill development opportunities for the State’s youth.

Mr. Naidu aslo held talks with Petronas President and Group CEO Muhammad Taufik. 

Petrochemical hub

Petronas, a Malaysian oil and natural gas company, is currently looking to invest in green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green molecules in India. The company aims to produce 5 million tonnes of green ammonia annually by 2030. For this, it plans to invest between ₹13,000 crore and ₹15,000 crore in a plant in Kakinada. The Chief Minister invited Mr. Taufik to also invest in Mulapeta, which is emerging as a petrochemical hub, as well as in the Global Capability Center.

The Chief Minister also discussed opportunities in the State with Eugene Willemsen, CEO of PepsiCo International Beverages, and Stephen Kehoe, Chairman of PepsiCo Foundation.

Mr. Naidu also met Hamad Al Mahmeed, a representative of the Bahrain Prime Minister’s office, and Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, CEO of Mumtalakat. He explained the new policies introduced by the State government for industrial development, and invited them to invest in Andhra Pradesh taking advantage of its ‘Speed of Doing Business’ approach.