Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh Meets Korean Tech Firms to Discuss Investment in Semiconductors and EVs
Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, Information Technology and Electronics Nara Lokesh held a series of meetings with leading technology and electronics companies in South Korea on Tuesday (July 7, 2026) to attract investment in electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.
During talks with senior executives of Hyundai Mobis, Mr Lokesh invited the automotive technology company to set up an EV semiconductor hub in Andhra Pradesh, along with an EV components and battery systems manufacturing unit near Tirupati or Anantapur. He also proposed establishing a research and engineering centre in Visakhapatnam and a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with IIT Tirupati. The Minister sought the company's support for research in autonomous driving, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and smart manufacturing. He urged Hyundai Mobis to partner with the State to develop Anantapur into a major automobile manufacturing hub. Hyundai Mobis executives said the company would study the proposals before deciding on future investments.
Mr Lokesh also met APACT Chief Executive Officer Seong Dong Lee to discuss strengthening Andhra Pradesh's semiconductor ecosystem. He requested APACT to work with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation to train youth in semiconductor assembly, packaging, and testing (OSAT). He also encouraged APACT to attract other global OSAT players, including Hana Micron, to consider investing in the State. Mr Lee said the company's Visakhapatnam OSAT project, being developed with ASIP Technologies at an investment of ₹468 crore, would produce 96 million semiconductor devices annually, with construction expected to start shortly.
In another meeting, Mr Lokesh urged LG Electronics to set up an engineering centre or Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Visakhapatnam and expand its operations in India. He proposed developing a component manufacturing ecosystem around Sri City and sought collaboration in IoT and robotics research. He also suggested establishing a commercial chiller manufacturing unit in the State. LG Electronics India CEO Hong Ju Jeon said the company is investing ₹5,000 crore in its third Indian manufacturing plant at Sri City, where commercial production is expected to begin by the end of the year. The plant is expected to create about 1,500 jobs and produce air-conditioner compressors, refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners. Mr Jeon said LG will study the Andhra Pradesh government's latest proposals.
