Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has urged global investors to expand their businesses in India. Addressing the CII Partnership Summit 2026 on Thursday, he described India as a safe investment destination amid global uncertainties.
Goyal called on investors to establish factories, research and development centres, and global capability centres. He also encouraged industries to prioritise quality, sustainability and global standards.
“Make India your address” for the next factory, design centre or global capability centre, he told investors. Furthermore, he urged trading partners to explore opportunities across India’s growing sectors.
Nine trade agreements cover 38 developed countries
Goyal said India has finalised nine free trade agreements over the past four-and-a-half years. These agreements cover 38 developed countries, representing a combined GDP of USD 60 trillion.
He said ongoing trade negotiations could expand this coverage to USD 85 trillion. This would represent roughly three-fourths of the projected global GDP of USD 115 trillion.
According to Goyal, the agreements create opportunities for Indian businesses, products and services. They also offer greater access to international markets for Indian talent and startups.
He highlighted India’s startup ecosystem, which includes approximately 2.5 lakh startups. Consequently, expanding trade partnerships could create further opportunities for domestic businesses.
Goyal highlights Andhra Pradesh’s emerging technology hubs
Goyal highlighted several projects supporting India’s future industrial capabilities. These include a drone city at Orvakal and a space city at Tirupati.
He also referred to India’s first green hydrogen hub at Pudimadaka. Additionally, he highlighted industrial development in Visakhapatnam, spanning steel and semiconductor manufacturing.
The minister praised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s long-term planning. He cited the state’s early focus on information technology and its emerging priorities.
These priorities include artificial intelligence, quantum engineering and data centres. Goyal also referred to the proposed Quantum Valley in Amaravati.
Andhra Pradesh shifts focus to speed of doing business
Goyal said Andhra Pradesh had moved beyond the traditional focus on ease of doing business. He described the state’s approach as the “Speed of Doing Business”.
He specifically praised the state’s escrow account mechanism for disbursing investor incentives. The system supports timely payments to businesses, he said.
Goyal also urged industries to stay ahead in sustainability and workforce skilling. He stressed the importance of meeting global quality standards as India expands its industrial capabilities.
