Bhoomi puja performed for 30 projects worth ₹4,249 crore at CII regional conference in Visakhapatnam
The regional conference of the 31st Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit opened at the Indian Institute of Management, Visakhapatnam, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, setting the stage for the summit scheduled in the city on November 12 and 13. Marking a major push to industrial development in north coastal Andhra Pradesh, a bhoomi puja was performed for 30 manufacturing and infrastructure projects with a cumulative investment of ₹4,249 crore.
Launch of the regional conference
The conference was inaugurated with a ceremonial lamp lighting by Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu, alongside Investments and Infrastructure Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy and Industries Minister T.G. Bharat. Members of Parliament M. Sribharat and Kalisetti Appala Naidu were in attendance, as were MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju and CII Andhra Pradesh Chairman Narendra Kumar Sharanam.
Addressing an audience of industrialists, investors and local entrepreneurs, leaders underscored the government’s focus on balanced regional development across north Andhra and the importance of catalysing investment through regional industry platforms.
Groundbreaking for 30 projects across four districts
As part of the proceedings, the bhoomi puja was conducted for 30 projects spanning the districts of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. According to investors, the projects are expected to generate 23,256 direct jobs. The initiatives, covering both manufacturing and infrastructure, are positioned to strengthen local supply chains and enhance the region’s industrial base.
MoUs and investment pipeline
Conference organisers said the event also paved the way for memorandums of understanding with another 30 industries, expanding the pipeline of potential investments ahead of the main CII Partnership Summit in November. The additional MoUs are expected to complement the projects announced on Wednesday and broaden sectoral participation in the state’s growth plans.
Focus on MSMEs and local entrepreneurship
A key strand of the conference concentrated on building local manufacturing capacity in line with the state’s “One Family, One Entrepreneur” vision. Technical sessions briefed micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on the new MSME Policy 4.0, detailing state financial subsidies and available credit facilities. The sessions were designed to help smaller enterprises navigate policy changes, access finance, and integrate into emerging industrial corridors.
Strengthening industrial corridors beyond major cities
Officials noted that hosting regional conferences forms part of a broader strategy to disperse economic opportunity beyond metropolitan centres. By focusing on Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns across Andhra Pradesh, the initiative aims to deepen industrial linkages and improve access to infrastructure, ultimately supporting more balanced regional growth.
Looking ahead to the November summit
Wednesday’s conference serves as a precursor to the 31st CII Partnership Summit scheduled for November 12–13 in Visakhapatnam. With multiple project groundbreakings completed and a slate of prospective MoUs in the pipeline, stakeholders expect the November summit to consolidate commitments and translate policy guidance into actionable investments.
Significance for north coastal Andhra Pradesh
The launch of projects worth ₹4,249 crore and the targeted MSME engagement signal a concerted effort to stimulate employment, strengthen manufacturing ecosystems, and broaden the geographic spread of industrial development in Andhra Pradesh. With the November summit approaching, the regional conference has laid key groundwork for sustained investor engagement and sectoral expansion across the state’s northern districts.
