Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal today held a bilateral meeting with New Zealand’s Minister for Trade, Todd McClay, in Mumbai to advance discussions on the proposed India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The engagement marked an important step in the ongoing negotiations, with both Ministers focusing on convergence across key disciplines relating to trade in goods and services.
Both sides acknowledged that the recent round resulted in substantive progress, with closure achieved on several elements and a clear shared understanding emerging on pathways to an early and mutually satisfactory conclusion of the agreement.
The Ministers noted that bilateral merchandise trade between India and New Zealand reached USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024–25, registering a strong growth of nearly 49 percent. They emphasized that a comprehensive and well-balanced FTA would not only accelerate trade flows but also deepen investment linkages, strengthen supply-chain resilience, and provide a transparent, stable, and predictable framework for businesses in both the countries.
Reaffirming their shared commitment to an ambitious and forward-looking partnership, both Ministers expressed confidence that the FTA has the potential to unlock significant opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including services, innovation, and technology collaboration. They agreed to sustain the constructive momentum and to intensify efforts in the coming weeks to facilitate an early, balanced, and mutually beneficial conclusion of the agreement.
National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) Logistics Data Services Limited (NLDSL) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, on the sidelines of the 30th CII Partnership Summit held in Visakhapatnam on 14 November 2025. The collaboration aims to digitize the logistics landscape in Andhra Pradesh by leveraging the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).
As part of the initiative, a robust integrated digital platform will be developed and implemented to provide government and private stakeholders in Andhra Pradesh with real-time visibility into the state’s logistics operations and performance metrics. The platform aims to enhance coordination, improve efficiency and support informed decision-making across sectors, enabling stakeholders to access real-time information seamlessly.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh, through INCAP, will collaborate with NLDSL to build an integrated logistics dashboard for monitoring logistics-related key performance indicators (KPIs) across various state departments. The analytical insights and actionable reports generated through this dashboard will be used to strengthen and upgrade the state’s logistics ecosystem by leveraging the capabilities of ULIP.
This MoU represents a major milestone in integrating advanced technological solutions with logistics development and contributes to strengthening India’s position as a global leader in efficient, modern and resilient supply-chain infrastructure.
The MoU was signed in the presence of CEO & MD, NICDC, and Chairman, NLDSL Shri Rajat Kumar Saini. The MoU was formally executed by VC & MD, INCAP, Shri C. V. Praveen Adithya, and CEO, NLDSL, Shri Takayuki Kano. This partnership marks a significant step toward building world-class logistics infrastructure aligned with the National Logistics Policy (NLP).
ULIP is a digital gateway that enables industry stakeholders to access logistics-related datasets from various government systems through API-based integration. ULIP has integrated with 44 systems across 11 ministries through 136 APIs, covering more than 2,000 data fields. Over 210 applications have been developed by companies using ULIP, resulting in more than 200 crore API transactions. In addition to private-sector adoption, ULIP is supporting data-driven governance by delivering synthesized logistics insights to ministries and departments, including Coal, Food Corporation of India (FCI) and various state governments.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ghaziabad, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jharkhand State Pharmacy Council (JSPC), today, to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at promoting the safe and rational use of medicines, enhancing pharmacovigilance and materiovigilance activities, and advancing patient safety initiatives across the state of Jharkhand. The MoU was signed by Dr. V. Kalaiselvan, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director, IPC, and Shri Prasanth Kumar Pandey, Registrar-cum-Secretary, JSPC, in the presence of representatives from both organisations.
Through this collaboration, IPC and JSPC will work together to build the capacity of registered pharmacists in areas related to adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting, pharmacovigilance and materiovigilance practices, and the safe use of medicines. The partnership envisions strengthening the utilization of the National Formulary of India (NFI) as a standard reference document across healthcare facilities in Jharkhand and promoting its systematic use by pharmacists to support rational dispensing and safe medication practices. It further includes coordinated efforts to organise awareness programmes for hospital and community pharmacists, support the mandatory use of the NFI in institutional pharmacy settings, and facilitate annual observance of the National Pharmacovigilance Week in collaboration with IPC.
This MoU is expected to enhance professional engagement, encourage wider participation in ADR reporting, and reinforce medicine safety surveillance mechanisms in the state. IPC will provide technical guidance and expert support for these initiatives, while JSPC will coordinate with pharmacists in public and private healthcare establishments to ensure effective implementation of the agreed activities.
The collaboration between IPC and JSPC reflects a shared commitment to improving medication safety and strengthening public health systems through structured capacity-building and the promotion of evidence-based pharmacy practice.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri J P Nadda today inaugurated AMRIT(Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) Pharmacy’s 10th Anniversary Celebrations at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event marked a significant milestone in affordable medicine access and recognized the public sector’s continuing commitment to universal health coverage.
Since their inception in 2015, AMRIT pharmacies have been instrumental in providing life-saving and essential medicines at discounts ranging from 50% to 90%, substantially bringing down treatment costs for patients, especially those from low-income backgrounds.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Nadda congratulated HLL Lifecare Ltd. for its consistent and high-quality efforts in implementing AMRIT. He recalled that in 2014, under the leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government resolved to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and equitable for all citizens. It was with this vision that Jan Aushadhi and AMRIT were conceived—both designed to deliver medicines and medical supplies at affordable rates.
Shri Nadda highlighted that AMRIT has grown into a robust national network, with over 255 pharmacies currently operational, with a vision to expand this network to 500 outlets across the country. He also emphasized that, while every AIIMS in the country today has an AMRIT pharmacy, the next challenge is to ensure that every medical college and every district Hospital in India is equipped with AMRIT pharmacy, so that affordable medicines reach citizens at every level of the healthcare system.
Highlighting the achievements of AMRIT pharmacy, he stated that, offering 50 percent discounts on branded medicines is a significant achievement benefiting more than 6.85 crore patients and reiterated that medicines worth over ₹17,000 at MRP have been dispensed so far, resulting in cumulative savings of approximately ₹8,400 crore for patients.
He also underscored the importance of increasing public awareness about AMRIT pharmacies. He stated that more citizens must be informed about the benefits and availability of AMRIT outlets so they can actively seek and utilize the affordable services offered.
Speaking at the occasion, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, highlighted that the AMRIT initiative was launched under the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and under the guidance of Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda, with the core objective of ensuring affordable, accessible and equitable access to quality medicines for every citizen.
Appreciating the commitment of HLL Lifecare Limited and the AMRIT Pharmacy network, she also stated that the “HLL family and the AMRIT pharmacy network have assured that they will continue to expand the network, improve systems, and further strengthen operations with Josh, Junoon and Jazbaat—energy, enthusiasm and spirit.”
Delivering the vote of thanks, Ms. Anitha Thampi expressed deep gratitude to Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda for his visionary leadership and steadfast support to the AMRIT initiative. She also acknowledged the continuous guidance of senior officials of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Health Secretaries whose collaboration has been vital in driving AMRIT’s growth over the last decade. She appreciated the tireless dedication of the HLL and AMRIT teams, whose commitment on the ground has ensured that affordable medicines to all the citizen.
During the event, Shri JP Nadda also inaugurated 10 new AMRIT outlets across India, marking a significant step toward enhancing affordable access to essential medicines and medical supplies for patients nationwide. He also launched AMRIT ITes – Eco Green Version 2.0, an upgraded and environmentally sustainable digital platform that will streamline operations, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency across the AMRIT network. The event also featured the release of Customised My Stamp in association with India Post.
A Coffee Table Book capturing AMRIT’s decade-long milestones, success stories, and impact on healthcare accessibility was released during the event. In addition, a Mobile Pharmacy Van for rural outreach in the NCR region was flagged off, enabling doorstep delivery of affordable medicines to underserved and remote communities. Furthermore, to strengthening citizen interface, a 24x7 National Contact Centre was inaugurated to offer real-time assistance on medicine availability, pricing, and the nearest AMRIT pharmacy locations.
Background
HLL Lifecare Limited, the implementing agency of AMRIT, is a Mini Ratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Through its diverse portfolio spanning contraceptives, hospital products, medical devices, and services including diagnostic services under the brand Hindlabs, retail business under AMRIT, HLL Pharmacy, HLL Optical, infrastructure development, procurement services and consultancy, HLL serves as a comprehensive healthcare solutions provider. The organization operates 7 state-of-the-art factories, 5 subsidiaries and a corporate R&D centre, driving innovation in India's healthcare sector.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal engaged with several world leaders over trade and investment on the sidelines of the 30th CII Partnership Summit at Visakhapatnam on 14th November 2025.
During his address at the Summit, Shri Goyal outlined three key pillars to expand global partnerships. He stated that the first pillar focuses on facilitating two-way investments by lowering trade barriers and enabling freer movement of goods, services and capital. The second pillar, he highlighted, is strengthening technology cooperation through co-development of frontier technologies and investment in high-impact innovation. The third pillar, he said, is building trust through transparent governance and predictable policy frameworks that support long-term collaboration. He also reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s belief in the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, emphasising that the world is one family.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Shri Goyal held bilateral discussions with delegations from Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia, as well as with heads of international organisations. His engagements included meetings over lunch with the Russian and Singaporean delegations. Important bilateral meetings were held with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, the Minister of Economy of Armenia, the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection of Mauritius, the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Angola, the Minister of Ecological Mining Development of Venezuela, and representatives from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In his meeting with the Director-General of the WTO, both sides exchanged views on the state of negotiations and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening confidence in the multilateral trading system. Shri Goyal reiterated India’s commitment to a rules-based, inclusive WTO and underscored the need for a permanent solution on Public Stock Holding for food security, restoration of a fully functional two-tier dispute settlement system, and balanced agricultural reform, including resolution of pending Final Bound AMS entitlements of developed countries. Both sides agreed to maintain close consultations in the run-up to MC14.
During discussions with the Armenian delegation, the Minister of Economy of Armenia expressed interest in expanding collaboration in the Gems and Jewellery sector. Shri Goyal noted the need to revitalise bilateral trade ties and proposed exploring a Joint Working Group at the Joint Secretary level, with a possible visit in the first quarter of 2026 to identify areas of trade potential. Renewable energy was highlighted by Armenia as a sector of mutual interest, while India sought cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector. The feasibility of direct flights was discussed, and India raised concerns regarding Non-Tariff Barriers faced by Indian pesticide exporters.
The meeting with the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection of Mauritius focused on strengthening bilateral trade and investment and exploring cooperation in technology and G2G procurement of essential commodities. Both sides agreed to examine the possibility of using the G2G route for procurement of petroleum products from India. India expressed interest in increasing exports of services, including IT and tourism. The State Trading Corporation of Mauritius indicated interest in importing rice, milk powder and other products from India. Mauritius sought India’s support in reducing its subsidy burden, and India offered to share its experience with Aadhaar-based digital public infrastructure.
In discussions with the Angolan Minister, both sides focused on strengthening bilateral trade and investment, particularly in agriculture, food processing and the Gems and Jewellery sector. Angola sought India’s support in developing entrepreneurship in agriculture, mechanisation and irrigation. Collaboration in contract farming, food processing and joint ventures in the natural diamond industry was also explored.
The meeting with the delegation from Mozambique covered cooperation in logistics, resilient supply chains, agriculture, skill development, education and the oil and gas sector. Mozambique sought India’s support in logistics development, and both sides expressed interest in working on a G2G supply chain for agricultural exports, including rice.
In the meeting with the Venezuelan Minister, both sides agreed to diversify their trade basket beyond oil and gas. Discussions included cooperation in critical minerals and expanding pharmaceutical exports from India to Venezuela. The Venezuelan side also encouraged increased investment by Indian companies.
The two-day CII Partnership Summit 2025, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry in partnership with the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, brought together policymakers, industry leaders and international partners to discuss the future of global trade and investment.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Ecological Mining Development of Venezuela, H.E. Mr. Hector Silva, on the sidelines of the 30th CII Partnership Summit held on 14–15 November 2025 in Visakhapatnam.
During the meeting, the Venezuelan side expressed interest in expanding economic engagement with India beyond the oil sector, including cooperation in critical minerals and attracting Indian investment.
Shri Goyal emphasized the need to reactivate the India–Venezuela Joint Committee Mechanism, whose last meeting was held a decade ago. He noted that ONGC’s ongoing operations in Venezuela provide scope for deeper collaboration in mining and exploration. He suggested that Venezuela may consider accepting the Indian Pharmacopeia to facilitate pharmaceutical trade and highlighted opportunities to enhance cooperation in the automobile sector. He added that India would engage with businesses exploring investment prospects in Venezuela.
Union Health Secretary, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava inaugurated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Health Pavilion at the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Bharat Mandapam, here today. Dr. Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services (DGHS); Shri Saurabh Jain, Joint Secretary; and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present at the event.
This year’s pavilion, themed “स्वस्थ भारत श्रेष्ठ भारत”, highlights the Ministry’s central role in shaping health policies and delivering comprehensive healthcare services to build a healthier and stronger nation.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Srivastava said that the Ministry is advancing several key initiatives aimed at achieving national health goals and aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. “The Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan, recently launched, aims to reach 11 crore people. Alongside this, initiatives such as the Tobacco Control for Youth Programme, the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, and the national campaign for organ donation are progressing simultaneously,” she noted.
Encouraging visitors to explore the Health Pavilion, the Union Health Secretary emphasized its role in enhancing public awareness. “The pavilion offers insights into India’s health system and a range of ongoing programmes. Several services, including CPR awareness sessions and anaemia testing, are being provided. I urge everyone to visit and make full use of these facilities,” she added.
Background:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is participating in the India International Trade Fair (IITF)-2025, organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event is scheduled for a 14-day period, commencing on November 14, 2025, and concluding on November 27, 2025.
MoHFW has been allocated approximately 900 square meters of space on the ground floor of Hall No. 4 at Bharat Mandapam for its participation in IITF 2025. The overarching theme of the Health Pavilion for this year is “स्वस्थ भारत श्रेष्ठ भारत”. This theme underscores the pivotal role of MoHFW in formulating and executing health policies and delivering comprehensive healthcare services, ultimately aiming to foster a healthy citizenry and a strong nation.
The Health Pavilion features a total of 37 stalls. These exhibitions will showcase the Ministry's various schemes and achievements. A key highlight will be the recent achievement of three GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titles under the nationwide campaign “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan” (SNSPA), which demonstrates India’s unwavering commitment to preventive and women-centric healthcare.
List of Stalls of various PDs of MoHFW, Autonomous Bodies and Attached /Sub – ordinate Offices at Health Pavilion, Bharat Mandapam New Delhi may be seen as under:
| S. No. | Programme Division | Stall (s) |
| 1. | Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) | 01 |
| 2. | Centre of excellence AIIMS New Delhi displaying scheme: National Programme for Prevention and Management of Trauma and Burn injuries NPPMT&BI | 01 |
| 3. | Child Health Division (CH) displaying scheme:Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) | 02 |
| 4. | Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB) | 01 |
| 5. | E-Health displaying scheme: eSanjeevani - National Telemedicine Service | 01 |
| 6. | National Family Planning Programme (FP Division) displaying scheme: Healthy Timing & Spacing for Well-being of Mother and Child | 01 |
| 7. | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) displaying scheme: Eat Right India | 02 |
| 8. | Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) displaying scheme:HLL AMRIT PharmacyHLL Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cube | 02 |
| 9. | Immunization Division displaying scheme:Universal Immunization Program | 01 |
| 10. | Mental Health Division displaying scheme:National Mental Health Programme ( TeleMANAS) | 02 |
| 11. | National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) displaying scheme: National AIDS & STD Control Programme | 01 |
| 12. | National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) | 01 |
| 13. | Non-Communicable Diseases NCD – I displaying schemes:National Programme for Health Care of the ElderlyNational Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness.National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment | 03 |
| 14. | Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD - II) displaying scheme:National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable DiseasesNational Programme for Palliative Care | 02 |
| 15. | National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBC) displaying scheme: National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme | 02 |
| 16. | Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY) | 01 |
| 17. | Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) | 01 |
| 18. | National Health Mission (NHM) | 01 |
| 19. | National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) | 01 |
| 20. | National Oral Health Programme (NOHP) | 02 |
| 21. | National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) displaying scheme: National Organ Transplant Programme | 02 |
| 22. | Nutrition displaying scheme: Anaemia Mukt Bharat & Adolescent Health Counselling | 02 |
| 23. | RHTC Najafgarh displaying scheme: Rural Health Training Centre | 01 |
| 24. | Tuberculosis Division displaying scheme: TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan | 02 |
| 25. | Tobacco Division displaying scheme: National Tobacco Control Programme | 01 |
| Total number of Stalls | 37 |
The 44th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 highlights the potential of aspirational India as an emerging global economic power, the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri JitinPrasada, noted today while inaugurating IITF 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today.
Shri Prasada, highlighted that such events play an important role in strengthening India’s path toward self-reliance.. Inspired by the “Viksit Bharat @ 2047” vision of the Prime Minister and centered around the theme “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”, the event showcases a technologically advanced, economically resilient nation.
The Minister acknowledged ITPO’s efforts in organizing the fair and welcomed the return of the Defence Pavilion after a decade. He stated that this year’s edition reflects India’s broad-based economic progress across various sectors and its contribution to employment generation. He also referred to India’s ongoing engagement on Free Trade Agreements with several partner countries and noted the growing international confidence in India’s stable policy environment and investment climate.
Shri Prasada further observed that India’s growing global profile is supported by strong economic fundamentals, steady policy reforms, and expanding international partnerships, which have strengthened the country’s role in global trade and investment.
Present on the occasion were the Chairman, ITPO, Shri Nitin Kumar Yadav; the Managing Director, ITPO, Dr. NeerajKharwal; the Executive Director, ITPO, Shri Premjit Lal; the Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Government of Rajasthan, Shri Alok Gupta; the Resident Commissioner, Bihar, Shri Kundan Kumar; the Resident Commissioner and Secretary, Jharkhand, Shri AravaRajkamal; along with senior Government officials, participants from India and abroad, delegates, and media representatives.
In his welcome address, Chairman and Managing Director, ITPO, Shri Nitin Kumar Yadav, outlined the key features of IITF 2025. He noted that the fair continues to serve as a platform for business collaboration, technology exchange, and investment opportunities. With over 3,500 participants from India and abroad, this edition features 31 States and Union Territories, including Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh as Partner States, and Jharkhand as the Focus State. Eleven countries—China, Thailand, UAE, Malaysia, Sweden, Turkey, Iran, South Korea, Egypt, Lebanon, the Republic of Tunisia, and the Tibetan Chamber of Commerce—are participating in the International Pavilion.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Managing Director, ITPO, Dr. NeerajKharwal. The fair has received participation from government departments, PSUs, MSMEs, startups, and international exhibitors, underscoring IITF’s role as a meeting point for trade, technology, and cultural exchange. Exhibitors from SARAS, Jute Manufacturers Development Council, MSMEs, handlooms, handicrafts, Coir Board, and Khadi and Village Industries are also showcasing products from traditional sectors.
Government e Marketplace (GeM) will participate in the 44th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) from 14–27 November 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
This year, GeM’s focus will be on strengthening market access for One District One Product (ODOP) sellers by curating high-quality catalogues, streamlining onboarding and enabling meaningful opportunities for women entrepreneurs, SC/ST-led MSEs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and enterprises led by Divyangjan.
GeM will set up a full-service pavilion at the fair, offering on-the-spot seller onboarding, a dedicated ODOP pavilion and a catalogue-shoot zone for ODOP sellers. A live buyer experience and query-resolution desk will also be available where visitors can explore the features of the GeM platform and receive one-to-one support. In addition, networking sessions will be held for under-represented seller groups to guide them on selling through GeM, navigating digital procurement and scaling their businesses.
Exhibitors participating in IITF 2025 will benefit from fast-track listing and increased visibility to thousands of government buyers on the GeM platform, while visitors will have access to live demonstrations and real-time support aimed at improving procurement efficiency.
“Under the banner of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, GeM is committed to building a procurement ecosystem that is not just efficient, but deeply inclusive and globally relevant. When buyers and sellers connect on a fair and transparent digital platform, the nation advances together,” said CEO, GeM, Shri Mihir Kumar.
GeM’s participation in IITF 2025 represents a continued effort to broaden access to public procurement and enhance opportunities for under-represented seller groups, in alignment with the Government of India’s vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Stakeholders are encouraged to visit the GeM pavilion, engage with the platform and explore avenues for strengthening an inclusive and transparent procurement ecosystem.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, while addressing the 30th edition of the CII Partnership Summit 2025 organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, highlighted India’s emergence as a trusted global partner and commended the immense contribution of Andhra Pradesh toward achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. He emphasized India’s growing leadership in semiconductors, clean energy and innovation-driven industries, underscoring the importance of trust, sustainability and policy stability as the foundation of India’s economic framework.
The event, held under the theme “Technology, Trust & Trade – Navigating the New Geoeconomic Order,” was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, in the presence of the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Syed Abdul Nazeer. Shri Piyush Goyal and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, delivered the keynote addresses.
Shri Goyal announced the launch of India’s first Drone City at Orvakal in Kurnool district, marking a major milestone in advancing India’s capabilities in next-generation aerospace and unmanned systems. The launch follows the foundation stone laying of the Kopparthy and Orvakal Industrial Nodes by the Prime Minister on 16 October 2025, underscoring the Government’s commitment to fast-paced progress across India’s industrial corridors. Developed in collaboration with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the 300-acre Drone City is expected to generate over 40,000 jobs and will house the world’s largest common drone testing facility. It will serve as a fully integrated ecosystem for manufacturing, testing, research, repairs and development, bringing key components of drone innovation under one unified infrastructure.
NICDC is developing three major Greenfield Industrial Smart City nodes in Andhra Pradesh—Krishnapatnam, Orvakal and Kopparthy—located across different industrial corridors, reinforcing the state’s strategic importance in regional industrial development. These projects support the Make in India vision and offer world-class infrastructure for industries in logistics, aerospace, electronics and advanced manufacturing. The Summit also highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s emerging opportunities in green hydrogen, semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, coastal logistics, defence and drone sectors, positioning the state as a prominent hub for sustainable industrial growth.
Shri Rajat Kumar Saini, CEO & MD of NICDC, participated in a plenary session titled “Next-Gen Industrial Corridors 2.0: Building Smart, Connected Ecosystems for Industry 5.0.” He outlined NICDC’s vision of developing Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities as smart, resilient and sustainable hubs for manufacturing and innovation. He highlighted the integration of digital infrastructure, renewable energy, automation and data-driven governance to create globally competitive industrial ecosystems aligned with the Industry 5.0 vision.
The NICDC pavilion at the Summit recorded strong participation and engagement from global investors, policymakers and industry representatives. It showcased NICDC’s flagship initiatives, including Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities, the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), Logistics Data Bank (LDB), India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) and PM MITRA Parks, illustrating NICDC’s integrated approach to building digital, efficient and sustainable industrial infrastructure. Delegates expressed notable interest in NICDC’s Smart City projects and digital platforms, seeking information on land availability, investment facilitation and collaboration opportunities under the Industrial Smart City development programme.
As the Government of India’s lead programme for industrial infrastructure development, NICDC continues to develop next-generation Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities under the Delhi–Mumbai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Amritsar–Kolkata, East Coast and other industrial corridors. Through advanced infrastructure and digital innovation, NICDC is driving India’s transition toward Industry 5.0, characterized by sustainability, technology integration and inclusive growth.
National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is mandated to develop world-class Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities that enhance manufacturing competitiveness, attract investment and generate employment. NICDC is implementing multiple city projects and digital initiatives such as ULIP, LDB and IILB, supporting India’s industrial and logistics transformation.
