Andhra Pradesh-CII Partnership Summit: State grounds projects worth ₹11 lakh crore, plans Investors Protection Act, says Nara Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh HRD, IT, and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh on Thursday said the state received investment projects worth ₹22 lakh crore in the last two years and 50% of the projects have been grounded and announced that the state will enact Investors Protection Act. 

Addressing the 31st CII Partnership Summit, 2026 today, Lokesh said projects worth ₹11 lakh crore getting grounded is a testimony to the transformation that we have brought to the state. 

Andhra Pradesh set to become the first state in India to implement the 'Investors Protection Act'. "Andhra Pradesh is proactively working on an "Investors Protection Act" to safeguard investors," he said. 

This comes on the back of escrow accounts for investors, which the state has already rolled out. 

A slew of Memorandum of Understanding are slated to be signed during the event spanning today and tomorrow. Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan said 115 Memorandum of Understandings are lined up to be signed at the 31^st  CII Partnership Summit, 2026 in Vishakhapatnam. 

"We do not want investments to remain only on paper. We want investments to be grounded and change the lives of ten the people. Andhra Pradesh is working towards accelerating its development," said Kalyan. 

CII President R Mukundan said global economy has shown some resilience as it navigates challenges. "This is moment when we need global alliances. Indian economy is being supported by vibrant demand, and a vibrant service sector. Momentum is being witnessed in merchandise exports," Mukundan said, while addressing the event. 

"Centre's forward-looking policies have opened new opportunities. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) will open new opportunities. New strides are being made in new energy," he said. 

"CII has five priorities. Trade and investments, technology, and AI. We should deepen presence in technology from nano technology to biotechnology. We now need to deepen co-operation and find new solutions to battery storage," he added. 

GMR Group Chairman G M Rao said when the Central Government and the State Governments think alike, investors get what they want most - confidence. "In the old days, the economies developed around ports, highways and railway projects. But now, the economies grow around the airports. Airports are the new economic engines," Rao said. 

During the event, Kia India announced plans to invest $2 billion on additional manufacturing line in Andhra Pradesh. The investment will more than double the total installed annual capacity of the company. 

Kia India MD and CEO Gwanggu Lee said the company will invest $2 billion taking the total installed capacity to 6.2 lakh units. "The project will create 3000 additional jobs," said Lee at the 31^st CII Partnership Summit in Vishakhapatnam.