Naidu scoffs at critics on not signing MoUs at Davos

Pooh-poohing criticism by his political detractors mainly from the YSRCP that he returned from World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting empty-handed, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said it is a myth to say that a visit to Davos is only about signing MoUs on various investment projects.

"The previous government totally destroyed the brand image of Andhra Pradesh during 2019-24. I am trying to revive it through a series of proactive policies to attract investors from all over the world. Attending Davos meetings helps in avoiding several foreign trips and seeking appointments with CEOs and other investors of global companies. Hence, our visit was focused on networking and bringing prospective investors to our State," he told the media.

"We are going to transform Andhra Pradesh into a haven for investments and are moving ahead with the sole aim of attracting Rs 10 lakh crore investments in green energy along with green hydrogen," Naidu stated while giving details of his Davos visit. Maintaining that Davos is nothing new to him, the Chief Minister stated that it is he who has taken the decision first in the whole country to visit Davos.

"I became the Chief Minister in 1995 and since 1997 I have been continuously visiting Davos. Initially, we have faced some problems as when we mentioned Hyderabad, they used to ask us which Hyderabad. Is it in Pakistan? When asked to invest in Hyderabad they used to ask us how to reach that place and this was the situation then," Naidu said.

Making it clear that after becoming the Chief Minister for fourth term he is now promoting 'AP Brand' across the globe, he said that he is clearly explaining to everyone the opportunities and the advantages available in the State for investing and to set up their industries. Informing that he has taken part in 27 meetings in Davos while the Ministers, Nara Lokesh and TG Bharath participated in 33 meetings, Naidu pointed out that he had meetings with the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Telangana and addressed a session on energy and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

As Andhra Pradesh has a wide coastline, the Chief Minister made it clear that now the focus is on how to make use of this and expressed confidence that heavy investments are going to be made in the State. He said that this time everyone in Davos discussed only green energy, green hydrogen, nature farming, AI and deeptech.