A.P. eyes $2.40-trillion economy riding on cluster-specific strategy, says Lokesh

IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh speaking at a fireside chat organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India in New Delhi on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh said the State was developing 23 sector-specific clusters as part of its strategy to drive investment, innovation and job creation across the economy. “Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) is currently a $200-billion economy and it aspires to become a $2.40-trillion economy by 2047, he noted.Speaking at a fireside chat organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI) in New Delhi on Thursday, Mr. Lokesh said the clusters cover sectors ranging from traditional manufacturing like cement and automotive to material sciences, rare earth minerals, AI and data centres, pharma and biomedical.He highlighted that Google was making a huge investment in Andhra Pradesh and it was being followed by further investments in the data centre sector. Quantum technology was a part of the strategy with a quantum ecosystem being developed in Amaravati.Mr. Lokesh said the State planned to build a wider ecosystem around quantum technology, covering areas from cryogenics and material sciences to quantum applications and use cases, including manufacturing.The State was focused on creating both blue and white collar jobs, and stressed that employment opportunities were being generated across sectors and skill levels.School of AgricultureThe Minister asserted that while quantum technology was important, horticulture and aquaculture were equally crucial for the State’s growth strategy and announced that the Horticulture Mission would be launched on October 2.He also said A.P. planned to develop an Indian School of Agriculture, modelled on the lines of the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad to build a strong ecosystem for agricultural R&D.Mr. Lokesh highlighted the State’s ‘P4’ model — Public, Private and People Partnership — which was aimed at ensuring that the benefits of development reached the less fortunate sections.He cited the transformation of a woman in Kuppam constituency from being a worker in a brick factory to owning one that gave employment to 20 people as an example of the kind of support extended under the P-4 initiative. Published - September 24, 2026 08:59 pm IST