The regional conference of the 31st Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit was inaugurated at IIM Visakhapatnam on Wednesday (October 7, 2026), ahead of the summit in the city on November 12 and 13.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu lit the lamp with Investments and Infrastructure Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy and Industries Minister T.G. Bharat. MPs M. Sribharat and Kalisetti Appala Naidu were also present.

MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju and CII Andhra Pradesh Chairman Narendra Kumar Sharanam attended. Addressing industrialists, investors and local entrepreneurs, the leaders spoke of the government’s commitment to balanced regional growth across north Andhra.

Bhoomi puja was performed for 30 manufacturing and infrastructure projects worth ₹4,249 crore. These projects span the districts of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, and are expected to create 23,256 direct jobs, according to the investors.

The conference also paved the way for memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with another 30 industries.

MSME sessions

The conference focused on building local manufacturing in line with the State’s vision of ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur.’

Technical sessions briefed micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on the new MSME Policy 4.0, State financial subsidies and credit facilities.

Officials said these regional events were meant to help build industrial corridors and take economic opportunities to Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns across Andhra Pradesh.