Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made a strong pitch for investments from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a high-profile meeting with UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri on Wednesday (July 23, 2025). Declaring that Andhra Pradesh is the best bet for UAE investors in India, Naidu extended an open invitation to evaluate, invest, and scrutinise the State’s governance firsthand.

“If you are not confident of our ability to deliver on our promises, you can leave us,” Naidu said confidently, urging the delegation to spend 25 percent of their time in the State to witness the commitment to development.

Open invitation to UAE

The Chief Minister’s remark — “If you are not confident, you can leave” — is being seen not as a threat but a confident assurance of transparency, accountability, and governance standards. The Andhra Pradesh government is positioning itself as a reliable investment destination, especially in areas such as:

• Green energy projects

• Logistics and ports infrastructure

• Real estate and smart cities

• Skill development and manufacturing

The UAE Minister, accompanied by a high-level delegation, visited Andhra Pradesh to explore economic opportunities, bilateral cooperation, and state-level partnerships.

Why Andhra Pradesh?

Naidu underlined Andhra Pradesh’s strategic location, world-class infrastructure pipeline, and a government committed to ease of doing business. He highlighted key strengths:

• Extensive coastline and ports (including Krishnapatnam, Gangavaram)

• Access to fast-growing South Indian markets

• Existing logistics hubs and warehousing zones

• Government’s track record in infrastructure execution

• Focus on clean energy, digital infrastructure, and skill development

“The State is undergoing a silent transformation with massive infrastructure, port-led development, and digital systems in place,” Naidu noted.

Confidence rooted in track record

Naidu pointed to his previous tenure as CM, when Andhra Pradesh was ranked among the top states in India for ease of doing business, and how global majors such as Kia Motors, Apache, and PepsiCo had invested heavily during that period.

“We are building Andhra 2.0 — faster, smarter, and more integrated with global value chains,” Naidu said, noting the clean administration and technological focus his government brings.

He emphasised that unlike other states, Andhra Pradesh offers ‘assured delivery’ of promises. “We have created a system of monitoring at every level — from CM’s Office to district nodal officers,” he added.

UAE’s growing interest in India

The UAE is already among India’s top trade and investment partners, and has signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India in 2022. However, most investments so far have flowed into states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi NCR.

Andhra Pradesh now wants to change that.

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, in his remarks, appreciated the State’s proactive approach and expressed willingness to explore deeper cooperation. “The way Andhra Pradesh is presenting its commitment is refreshing,” he said, adding that logistics, ports, and energy were the most interesting sectors for UAE businesses.

Infrastructure push: AP’s winning card

The Chief Minister also gave a detailed overview of the infrastructure roadmap being developed in the State:

• Six major industrial corridors

• International Airport development in Bhogapuram

• Smart city projects in Amaravati and Visakhapatnam

• Dedicated investment zones for renewable energy and electric mobility

• Skill development hubs linked to industry needs

He said UAE companies would be offered dedicated industrial parks, fast-track clearance, and sector-specific policies. “We are ready to tailor incentives based on your investment scale,” Naidu assured.

Call for long-term partnership

Instead of just short-term commercial interests, Naidu urged the UAE to look at Andhra Pradesh as a long-term strategic partner. “We don’t want just MoUs, we want real impact,” he said.

The CM also hinted at exploring joint ventures in education, skilling, and fintech, apart from infrastructure and energy.

“There is room for innovation. We are building from the ground up, and you have the capital and global experience,” he said.

CM’s bold statement draws attention

Naidu’s bold remark — “If you are not confident of our ability to deliver, you can leave us” — has become a headline-worthy statement, drawing attention across India and Gulf newsrooms.

Political observers view this as a reassertion of Naidu’s aggressive developmental brand and an attempt to revive Andhra Pradesh’s image as a reformist, business-first state.

It also reflects the urgency with which the State is trying to attract foreign capital post the 2024 elections, especially as states compete in offering investor-friendly ecosystems.

Conclusion

Andhra Pradesh’s renewed outreach to the UAE signals a sharp shift towards aggressive economic diplomacy at the state level. With a confident and transparent pitch, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has laid the groundwork for a transformative Indo-UAE investment corridor anchored in Andhra.

Whether the UAE responds with large-scale investments remains to be seen, but Andhra Pradesh has made a clear declaration — it’s open for business, and it’s ready to deliver

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