Andhra Pradesh HRD, IT, Electronics and Communication Minister Nara Lokesh in a selfie with LG Chem Global Strategy Centre President and Head of LG Overseas Holding Companies, Yun-ju Ko during a meeting in Seoul, South Korea. Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh IT, electronics and education minister Nara Lokesh on Monday held a series of meetings with South Korean technology, automotive and electronics companies, seeking investments in electric vehicle components, semiconductors, display manufacturing, batteries and R&D centres in the state.During talks with Hyundai Mobis executives led by executive vice-president Youngbin Kim, Lokesh proposed an EV semiconductor hub in Andhra Pradesh, an EV components and battery systems manufacturing facility near Tirupati or Anantapur, and an R&D and engineering centre in Visakhapatnam. He also sought collaboration with IIT-Tirupati and support for autonomous driving, ADAS and smart manufacturing initiatives through the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH).At a meeting with APACT CEO Seong Dong Lee, Lokesh discussed expansion of semiconductor activities in Andhra Pradesh and proposed a partnership with APSSDC for OSAT skill development. He sought APACT’s support in attracting other global OSAT players, including Hana Micron. Lee said the Rs 468-crore ASIP-APACT OSAT facility approved under the India Semiconductor Mission in Visakhapatnam would begin construction shortly and would have an annual capacity of 96 million devices.Lokesh separately met LG Electronics global CEO Lyu Jae Cheol and LG Electronics India CEO Hong Ju Jeon and invited the company to establish an engineering centre or GCC in Visakhapatnam. He also sought investments in display modules, sensors and power electronics manufacturing near Sri City and proposed IoT and robotics innovation labs in partnership with RTIH. LG said its Rs 5,000-crore manufacturing facility at Sri City is expected to commence commercial production later this year, producing air conditioners, compressors, refrigerators and washing machines.In discussions with LG Chem Global Strategy Centre President Yun-Ju Koh, Lokesh proposed a polystyrene manufacturing complex near Kakinada port, a world-class naphtha cracker facility at Mulapeta, integrated battery material and cell manufacturing units, biofuels projects, and plastic recycling and pyrolysis plants.The minister also met Samsung Electronics senior director Helena Park and invited the company to consider Andhra Pradesh for AI-ready hyperscale data centres, AI server manufacturing and servicing facilities, a display fabrication unit, an OSAT facility, battery manufacturing and quantum computing research collaborations in Amaravati’s Quantum Valley. He further sought Samsung’s participation in industrial infrastructure and shipbuilding opportunities.
