Foundation laid for Cognizant, 8 tech companies in Visakhapatnam

VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam will be developed as a world class future Knowledge and technology hub with best living standards, observed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Describing Visakhapatnam as a most beautiful city free from pollution and safest city with good people, the Chief Minister said several global companies including Google, Microsoft, Amazon and other companies are ready to set up their offices in Visakhapatnam.

Participating in ground breaking ceremony of Cognizant technologies here on Friday along with Minister for IT Nara Lokesh, the Chief Minister said Visakhapatnam is going to be a game changer in technology revolution and Visakhapatnam and surrounding districts will be developed as economic region.

It may be noted that the state government allotted 22 acres of land for Cognizant company and with the initiative of Minister for IT Nara Lokesh and speed of doing business the company came forward to invest Rs 1583 crore with 8000 seat facility in Visakhapatnam. Initially the company started its operations with one thousand associates here today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Cognizant CEO promised to increase the employee strength to 25,000. He said that he is happy to lay foundations for eight other companies including Tech Tammina, Satwa Developers, Imaginnovate Tech Solutions India, Fluentgrid Limited, Motherson Technologies, Qorp Technosoft, CAN Healthcare, RCM Services and Nanrel Technologies simultaneously and stated that an eco system was developing in Visakhapatnam as future technology hub.

Stating that there is no dearth in talent among youth, the Chief Minister said that young people from the state are serving in IT round the globe. He promised full cooperation to Cognizant and appealed to the company authorities to complete the development of campus in less than one year time.

He said Visakhapatnam will be emerged as knowledge economy and IT destiny and become most happening city with completion of Bhogapuram airport and destiny for tourism.

The Google company is going to set up AI data centre in Visakhapatnam and along with Google several other companies also coming forward to set up their companies in Visakhapatnam. He said the cost of living is 20 per cent less when compared to other cities.

Andhra Pradesh attracted investments to a tune of more than Rs 20 lakh crore including Rs 13.5 lakh crore during CII partnership a Viskahapatnam alone. Quantum valley will be developed in Amaravati and first quantum computer will be produced in six months, he said.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is giving top priority for industries and start ups through speed of doing business and opening of Escrow accounts. He said the growth rate in AP will be increased to 15 per cent soon. He said Visakhapatnam will be developed as Net Zero pollution city. There were abundant opportunities for developing green energy in the state.

Addressing the meeting Minister Nara Lokesh said that Andhra Pradesh will be developed as economic power house. He said that the setting up of Cognizant company will become a milestone in development of Visakhapatnam as a global technology hub. He appealed to the first batch employees of the company to become brand ambassadors of AP.

Earlier, addressing the gathering Cognizant CEO Ravikumar thanking the cooperation of state government and speed of doing business approach said that the company look forward to unlock the full potential of Visakhapatnam's talent and innovation spirit. He said the Cognizant has established new delivery centres in Bhubaneswar, Indore, Techfin centre in Gift city, Gujarat. He said of the 3.4 lakh employees base, 70 per cent of employees are based in India.

District incharge minister D Balaveeranjaneyulu, APIIC chairman M Rama Raju, Cognizant President (Global Operations) Rajesh Varrier, Cognizant USA president Surya Gummadi and others were present.