CII Partnership Summit: Goyal invites global companies to invest in India

The CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam heard an invitation from Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday, November 12, for overseas companies to choose India for investment. Speaking at the opening session of its 31st edition, he highlighted manufacturing, research, global capability centres and emerging technologies.

Goyal described India as offering market openness, expanding capabilities and policy predictability. He said the country had completed nine free trade and preferential trade agreements over the preceding four to four-and-a-half years.

According to the minister, those agreements cover 38 developed countries and open access to markets accounting for roughly US$60 trillion in global GDP. He also described research, design and manufacturing in India as cost competitive, while saying investments and intellectual property receive protection.

Andhra Pradesh opportunities highlighted

Goyal identified Andhra Pradesh as a growing destination for investment. Among the opportunities he listed were drones, space, green hydrogen, data centres, advanced technology and research.

He said Visakhapatnam was broadening its economic focus from established activities such as steel towards technology and newer sectors. He also cited the city's response to recent cyclones as evidence of its readiness for large investment and business gatherings.

Alongside his appeal to international companies, Goyal urged domestic industry to give attention to sustainability, skills and quality standards suited to global markets. The CII Partnership Summit seeks to expand international investment partnerships and support Viksit Bharat and Viksit Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Goyal, Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan inaugurated the event. Government and business representatives from several countries, industrialists and foreign diplomats are participating.

CII advocated closer cooperation on emerging technologies. It pointed to Indian opportunities in semiconductors, solar panels, battery storage, electric vehicles and agricultural value chains operating at scale.

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