Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh said MSMEs will play a major role in achieving the state’s employment and investment goals
May 14, 2026: Nara Lokesh has highlighted the crucial role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in helping Andhra Pradesh achieve its target of creating 20 lakh jobs. Speaking at the “SME IPO – Alternative Funding Option For Growth” seminar organised by the National Stock Exchange of India, Andhra Pradesh MSME Development Corporation and Confederation of Indian Industry, Lokesh said the government is working with the vision of “Made in Andhra – Made for India – Made for the World.”
Lokesh said the state has emerged as a major investment destination under the leadership of N Chandrababu Naidu. According to him, agreements for nearly 800 projects worth Rs 23 lakh crore have been signed in the last 23 months, with the potential to create around 24 lakh jobs. He added that companies such as Google, ArcelorMittal, Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant and Royal Enfield are setting up projects in the state, while an Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft manufacturing project has also been proposed in Puttaparthi.
The minister said the government is promoting decentralised growth through a cluster-based development model across the state. Plans include dedicated clusters for automobiles, renewable energy, aquaculture, quantum technology, pharmaceuticals, IT and data centres. He also announced that the government aims to establish an MSME park in every constituency and simplify approvals under a “Speed of Doing Business” approach. Lokesh further directed officials to ensure that at least 100 Andhra Pradesh-based companies get listed on the NSE within the next three months, stressing the need to build globally competitive businesses with strong government support.