Melbourne, October 24: Andhra Pradesh IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh announced that the establishment of the Google Data Center in AP was the result of 13 months of relentless effort by the state government. Addressing the CII Partnership Summit Roadshow organized by the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) in Melbourne, Lokesh said this major achievement reflects Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s visionary leadership and the state’s investor-friendly governance.

Lokesh highlighted that Andhra Pradesh has already attracted ₹10 lakh crore in investments within just 16 months, calling it “only the beginning.” He emphasized AP’s collaborative model of governance, saying, “Once you join hands with us, it’s no longer your project — it becomes our project.” He explained that every project is tracked daily through dedicated coordination groups, ensuring faster clearances and transparent execution.

Explaining the journey behind Google’s decision, Lokesh said the project took shape through continuous engagement with Google’s leadership, site visits, and policy-level coordination with the central government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and key ministers. “What began as a state-level proposal has now positioned India as a global data center hub,” he said, adding that AP completed its commitments within the agreed timeframe.

Lokesh invited global investors to participate in the CII Partnership Summit scheduled in Visakhapatnam on November 14–15, describing the city as the next major economic and industrial hub of India. He said Andhra Pradesh is on track to become a $2.4 trillion economy, with a focus on 15 key sectors including renewable energy, steel, aquaculture, and quantum computing. “AP is now the second fastest-growing state in India, and soon we’ll be number one,” Lokesh declared confidently.