Date: January 28, 2025
Hyderabad for Telangana, Chandrababu for Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad for Telangana, Chandrababu for Andhra Pradesh: A Tale of Branding and Investments
The Andhra Pradesh government recently participated in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, under the slogan “Brand AP.” Led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the delegation included IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Industries Minister T.G. Bharat, and senior officials. Over four days, the team held multiple meetings in Zurich and Davos to promote Andhra Pradesh as a prime investment destination. his leadership as Hyderabad for Telangana.
While states like Maharashtra and Telangana managed to sign significant investment agreements at the forum, the opposition YSRCP criticized Chandrababu’s team for allegedly failing to secure direct investments during the event. The YSRCP claimed that the visit did not yield any tangible results.
TDP’s Response to Criticism
Responding to these claims, Chandrababu clarified that the primary purpose of the Davos visit was to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s investment potential rather than to sign immediate agreements. He stressed that Davos is a platform for global networking and exploring opportunities, not just for closing investment deals.
Adding to this, TDP leader and Union Minister of Civil Aviation K. Ram Mohan Naidu defended the government’s efforts. He acknowledged that Maharashtra and Telangana secured investments at Davos but pointed out that Andhra Pradesh had already attracted investments worth ₹6.33 lakh crore over the past seven months—independent of the forum.
Chandrababu: The Brand of Andhra Pradesh like Hyderabad for Telangana
Ram Mohan further elaborated on the success of Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing the importance of branding. He noted that Hyderabad is a brand for Telangana and Mumbai is synonymous with Maharashtra. However, in Andhra Pradesh’s case, the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu itself has become the state’s brand.
He explained that while other states traveled to Davos to secure investments, Andhra Pradesh managed to attract significant investments due to Chandrababu’s leadership and vision. This natural inflow of investments highlights the trust and confidence that investors have in his governance.
The Davos Strategy
Despite the ongoing criticism, the TDP maintains that attending the WEF in Davos was an essential move to position Andhra Pradesh on the global investment map. Chandrababu’s delegation aimed to connect with global companies and showcase the state’s potential to the international community.
With ₹6.33 lakh crore worth of investments already secured in recent months, Andhra Pradesh continues to solidify its position as a prime destination for businesses. The state’s leadership believes that such events are valuable for long-term growth and for fostering relationships with global investors.