Lokesh Invites Microsoft, Apple To Invest In Andhra

Amaravati: Continuing his efforts to woo IT biggies to Andhra Pradesh, Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT, Electronics and HRD, on Tuesday met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and sought collaboration for digital transformation and taking IT and innovation hubs proposed in the State to the global level. “Had an insightful meeting with @satyanadella, CEO of @Microsoft. Sought his valuable guidance and support in advancing IT, AI, and skill development in Andhra Pradesh. Looking forward to collaborative efforts to drive digital transformation and opportunities in the State,” he said in a post on X.

Currently, Lokesh is on a visit in the United States to convince global companies including Apple and Adobe to invest/partner in Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, he visited Apple’s corporate HQ in San Francisco and met the VP of Operations Priya Balasubramaniam.

“During our conversation, I emphasized AP’s talented youth, whose skills align with Apple’s operational standards. I invited Apple to grow its operations in Andhra Pradesh, where business-friendly government and policies await them. The GoAP is ready to provide all necessary support and facilities for setting up manufacturing units at their chosen location in AP,” he stated in another update on the micro-blogging site.

The Minister had a meeting with Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen in San Francisco wherein he pitched Andhra Pradesh as a prime investment destination, highlighting the State’s forward-thinking, investor-friendly policies. “We explored Adobe’s potential collaboration in transforming e-governance and digital education across Andhra Pradesh, and I’m excited about the transformative impact this partnership could bring,” he stated. Lokesh during his visit to Microsoft at its headquarters in Redmond in Washington, extended an invitation to Satya Nadendla to visit Andhra Pradesh.

Nadendla, who has been holding the top position of the CEO of Microsoft since 2014, said that the company has been a global leader in software, cloud computing and enterprise technology.

Lokesh said that Naidu who became the Chief Minister for the fourth term has plans to transform Andhra Pradesh as the IT capital. “As part of the programme we are setting up new IT hubs and innovation parks. We seek the active cooperation of Microsoft to take the IT hubs to global level,” Lokesh said.