Lokesh invites the Telugu diaspora in South Korea to partner for the growth of Andhra Pradesh

IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh addressing the Indian Diaspora gathering in Seoul on Sunday.

IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh on Sunday appealed to the Telugu community in South Korea to become a partner for the growth of Andhra Pradesh and assured them that the government fully supports investment in sectors of their choice.

Addressing a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Seoul, Mr. Lokesh said that Andhra Pradesh offers huge investment opportunities and that the government is committed to ease of doing business with speed and transparency. The state will provide speedy approval and transparent administration, he said, urging the diaspora to invest in Andhra Pradesh. The government is ready to cooperate with those who are willing to create jobs and contribute to the overall development of the state, he added.

Describing South Korea’s development path as exemplary, Mr Lokesh said the country has built a strong global presence through companies such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG and Kia. Its progress showed that prosperity was driven not only by natural resources, but also by hard work, innovation, scientific insight and determination, he said. He added that the success of South Korea was a source of inspiration for Andhra Pradesh as it pursued the vision of becoming a progressive state in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The minister said the relationship between India and South Korea goes beyond trade and is rooted in shared democratic values, mutual trust, innovation and investment in youth. He noted that the two countries have made significant progress in electronics, automobiles, semiconductors, shipbuilding, green energy, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.

Referring to Kia’s investment in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Lokesh said its success should serve as a model for other global companies and reflect the state government’s commitment to deliver on its promises. Andhra Pradesh was poised to be South Korea’s most reliable partner in India in information technology, semiconductors, mobility, battery technology, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. With its 3S model of speed, stability and service, the state is committed to providing a favorable environment for investors, he said.

Later, Mr. Lokesh met Indian Ambassador to South Korea Gourangalal Das and sought his support in attracting Korean electronics and semiconductor companies to Andhra Pradesh. He said firms could set up units in ready-to-use industrial clusters in Sri City, Naidupeta, Kopparthy and Visakhapatnam.

The Minister also asked the Ambassador to facilitate collaboration with Korean companies and institutions for skill development programs in VLSI, ATMP (Assembly, Test, Mark and Package)/Semiconductor Packaging, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Imaging Technologies.

Referring to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s proposal during his visit to India earlier this year to establish a Korean enclave, Mr. Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh is ready to host a plug-and-play township in Sri City exclusively for Korean SMEs. He urged the ambassador to facilitate the relocation of priority Korean industries to the state.

Mr. Lokesh also announced plans to set up a dedicated Andhra Pradesh-Korea Desk by integrating Korea Plus, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and India-Korea Industrial Cooperation Committees to facilitate closer industrial cooperation.

Mr. Lokesh said that the Telugu Desam Party has a strong base in Andhra Pradesh but also has a vision for the nation. Strong states build a strong India, he said, adding that sustained progress can be achieved only when regional aspirations and national development goals move forward together.

Published – 05 Jul 2026 19:21 IST