The father–son leadership duo took Andhra Pradesh’s investment pitch to the global stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and IT, Education and RTGS Minister Nara Lokesh jointly courting global investors and positioning the State as a prime destination for technology, renewable energy and digital infrastructure investments.

During the Davos visit, the Chief Minister and the IT Minister held a series of back-to-back meetings with global leaders from the fintech, artificial intelligence, clean energy, cyber security and digital platforms sectors, projecting Andhra Pradesh as one of India’s most investment-ready states with strong policy support, skilled manpower and robust infrastructure.

As part of the State’s fintech push, Minister Lokesh met Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath and proposed setting up a FinTech and Technology Development Centre in Visakhapatnam. The proposed facility would focus on platform engineering, backend systems, algorithmic trading, data analytics and next-generation digital products. Lokesh also invited Zerodha to partner with the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub to mentor startups and strengthen the State’s innovation ecosystem. He further suggested a first-of-its-kind collaboration to introduce financial literacy programmes from the school level.

In the renewable energy space, Lokesh held discussions with JERA Global CEO and Chairman Yukio Kani, seeking investments in green ammonia manufacturing units near the ports of Moolapeta, Krishnapatnam and Kakinada. The State highlighted export opportunities to Japan and other Asian markets, along with proposals for solar–wind hybrid projects in Rayalaseema and emission-reduction pilot projects at thermal power plants. JERA expressed interest, citing its focus on expanding green hydrogen and green ammonia value chains in India.

The delegation also advanced talks in artificial intelligence with Scale AI Global Managing Director Trevor Thompson, inviting the $29-billion company to establish a Scale AI Centre of Excellence in Visakhapatnam. Discussions were also held with Meta Vice President and Global Policy Head Kelvin Martin on developing scalable data centre infrastructure, setting up Reality Labs Centres of Excellence and expanding WhatsApp-based digital governance solutions. Meta officials said the proposals would be reviewed by senior leadership.

Parallelly, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held strategic meetings to promote his vision of Amaravati as a global cyber security city. In talks with Israeli Minister for Economy and Industry Nir Barkat and Trade Commissioner Roy Pisher, he sought collaboration in cyber security, drones, coastal surveillance, water management and wastewater recycling, with the Israeli side expressing strong interest.

Addressing investors on the sidelines of the WEF, Naidu reiterated the State’s focus on AI, cyber security, green energy, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, backed by stable governance and fast-track clearances, to generate employment and sustainable growth.