I Pioneered Davos Visits; Promoting Andhra Pradesh Globally: Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu stated that he was the first Indian Chief Minister to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, emphasizing his role in initiating state-level participation in the global summit. Speaking to the media on Saturday, he highlighted his extensive efforts since 1997 to attract foreign investments through his regular Davos visits during his tenure as the Chief Minister of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.

Chandrababu Naidu explained that in 1997, he represented Andhra Pradesh at Davos and has attended the summit during every term as Chief Minister to drive foreign investments into the state. He recalled the early challenges of developing the IT sector, stating, "Back then, discussions revolved around IT, and we built the Hi-Tech City in record time. Following its completion, we invited global companies to invest, paving the way for projects like Cyber City."

Chandrababu Naidu also mentioned that in 1995, information technology was the focus, whereas now, in 2025, the world is entering the era of artificial intelligence. Reflecting on his initial Davos visits, he said, "In those days, people were unaware of Hyderabad, and when I mentioned it, they would ask where it was. Hyderabad lacked a proper airport then, but we still managed to build the Hi-Tech City in 14 months and attract foreign companies."

He recalled meeting Bill Gates during one of his Davos visits, where Gates acknowledged Chandrababu Naidu's efforts in promoting Hyderabad in the past and Andhra Pradesh today. Chandrababu Naidu reiterated his commitment to utilizing all platforms to promote Andhra Pradesh, especially in the aftermath of the state's bifurcation.

Future Focus on Green Hydrogen and AI

Chandrababu Naidu identified green industries, green hydrogen, and artificial intelligence as the key global priorities for the future. He noted that this year's discussions at Davos primarily revolved around green industries, followed by AI. He emphasized the growing importance of natural farming, stating that 1 million people in Andhra Pradesh are already engaged in it.

"Davos is not just a criterion; it is a platform for networking. It allows government leaders and industrialists to exchange ideas, gain knowledge, and understand global trends," said Chandrababu Naidu. He underlined the importance of leveraging such platforms to predict future developments and steer the state's progress accordingly.

Chandrababu Naidu shared that he, along with Minister Nara Lokesh and other officials, actively promoted Andhra Pradesh on various platforms at Davos. He also mentioned meeting approximately 500 Telugu-speaking individuals in Zurich, many of whom have successfully established businesses. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his optimism about the global presence of Telugu-speaking people, predicting that within the next five years, Telugus would have a presence in every country worldwide.