Deccan Region Today

Minister Lokesh moots Andhra Pradesh-Korea Investment Desk

Minister for HRD and IT Nara Lokesh concluded the fifth day of his South Korea investment mission with a series of high-level engagements aimed at deepening economic ties between Andhra Pradesh and the Republic of Korea. The day’s discussions focused on expanding Kia’s manufacturing footprint in the State, proposing an Andhra Pradesh–Korea Investment Desk to institutionalise bilateral engagement, presenting Andhra Pradesh’s 3S policy (Speed, Stability and Service) as a trusted framework for investors, seeking South Korea’s partnership in building a knowledge economy and a 10-GW data centre ecosystem under the Swarna Andhra@2047 vision

Lokesh secures Rs 1,595-crore Korean investment commitment

Capitalising on the State’s growing reputation for foreign direct investment, Andhra Pradesh HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh concluded Day 6 of his South Korean investment promotion tour on Friday. In high-level bilateral meetings in Seoul, Lokesh secured a major Rs 1,595-crore manufacturing commitment from Shinhyup Electronics and advanced structural talks for heavy maritime infrastructure, hyper-scale AI data centers, and automated EV corridors.

UAE Leads Indian Mango Imports; AP Varieties in High Demand

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as the leading destination for Indian mango exports, with Andhra Pradesh varieties, such as Banganapalli and Benishan witnessing a strong demand. According to the latest data released by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) and APEDA for 2025–26, the UAE retained its top position among importers of Indian mangoes. The figures indicate sustained demand for Indian mango varieties in other countries of the world too.

A new chapter in AP-Korea partnership

IT, Education and Electronics Minister Lokesh said that a new chapter is beginning in the Andhra Pradesh-Korea partnership. On the sixth day of his visit to South Korea, he participated in a roadshow organized by the CII in Seoul on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Lokesh said that their goal is to build a lasting partnership with investors. He said that Kia Motors has invested in AP with confidence. He revealed that AP will be transformed into a gateway for Korean manufacturing, logistics and manufacturing.

Lokesh Invites Hyundai Shipbuilding Arm to Set Up Marine Engineering hub in AP

Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday met the leadership of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KOSE) in Seoul and invited the company to establish a world-class shipbuilding and marine engineering facility in the state. On the sixth day of his South Korea tour, the Minister showcased Andhra Pradesh's maritime strengths, including its nearly 1,000-km coastline, strategic location on India's east coast, operational and upcoming deep-water ports, world-class logistics infrastructure, competitive industrial ecosystem and investor-friendly policies.

Kandou AI expands India footprint, inaugurates semiconductor design centre HQ in Hyderabad

Semiconductor company Kandou AI has expanded its global engineering presence with the launch of its India Chip Design Headquarters in Hyderabad, as it seeks to strengthen its capabilities in AI infrastructure and next-generation chip development in the country. The new facility, located at Krishe Emerald in Kondapur, will serve as the company's primary engineering base in India, focusing on advanced semiconductor design, high-speed connectivity technologies and next-generation AI infrastructure. The centre will house engineering teams working across chip design, verification, validation, firmware, software, systems engineering and customer support, the company said in a statement on Friday.

Indonesia, India strengthen Sabang–Andaman port partnership to boost maritime connectivity

Indonesia and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maritime connectivity through the development of Sabang Port in Aceh and port infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, positioning the initiative as a strategic corridor to boost trade, logistics and cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. Speaking alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday, President Prabowo Subianto said the two ports would serve as a strategic maritime link connecting Indonesia and India near the northern entrance to the Strait of Malacca.