Andhra Pradesh Pitches Clean Energy at Davos

The state leadership invites global companies at WEF to propel investment in clean energy, digital infrastructure, and sophisticated technology.

During the second day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, in a bid to market the state as a clean energy and technology-based investment destination, Andhra Pradesh IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh conducted a series of meetings with global business leaders. Lokesh also identified clean energy, advanced manufacturing, technology services, and food processing as some of the opportunities of the long-term growth strategy of the state.

During the interview with the Meta Vice President and Global Policy Head Kelvin Martin, Lokesh wanted to have a chance to support the establishment of scalable data center capacity within Visakhapatnam, which is consistent with the global infrastructure standards and clean energy utilization. He further suggested a Reality Labs center of excellence in collaboration with the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub to guide startups in the immersive technologies and AI area and increased WhatsApp-based digital governance projects.

Lokesh introduced Zerodha founder Nikhil Kamath, asking the FinTech company to establish a technology development center in Visakhapatnam, which will specialize in platform engineering, data analytics, and trading systems. He also suggested partnering on a statewide financial literacy program and startup mentorship via RTIH.

Meanwhile, Scale AI Global Managing Director Trevor Thompson was invited to develop an AI center of excellence in the location in another engagement. Lokesh offered partnership on AI safety, governance, and evaluation that buttresses the efforts of Andhra Pradesh to integrate clean energy infrastructure with high-tech digital options to draw foreign investment.