NewKerala.com

Andhra Minister Lokesh Meets Buhler Chief, Eyes Agri-Food Hub at WEF

Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh met with Deepak Mane, Chairman of the Buhler Group, in Zurich on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Lokesh invited the global firm to partner with the state to strengthen agri-export clusters, millet processing, and food-tech skilling initiatives. He expressed confidence that such collaboration could position Andhra Pradesh as India's premier agri-food hub. The minister also interacted with the NRI Telugu Desam Party community in Zurich before heading to Davos for the main forum.

Key Points: Nara Lokesh Meets Buhler Chairman at WEF, Invites Investment

  • Invited partnership for agri-export clusters
  • Focus on millet processing and food-tech skilling
  • Aims to position Andhra as India's agri-food hub
  • Met NRI TDP members in Zurich ahead of WEF
2 min read

WEF 2026: Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh meets Chairman of Buhler Group in Zurich

Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh invites Buhler Group to partner on agri-exports & millet processing at WEF 2026, aiming to make AP India's food hub.

"I am confident that this collaboration can position AP as India's agri-food hub. - Nara Lokesh"

Davos, January 20

Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday held a meeting with Deepak Mane, Chairman of Buhler Group in Zurich, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Nara Lokesh invited Buhler to partner with Andhra Pradesh to strengthen agri-export clusters, millet processing, food-tech skilling.

In a post on X, Nara Lokesh shared, "It was a pleasure to meet Deepak Mane, Chairman of Buhler Group, in Zurich. I invited Buhler to partner with Andhra Pradesh in strengthening agri-export clusters, millet processing, food-tech skilling and Make-in-India manufacturing. I am confident that this collaboration can position AP as India's agri-food hub."

Nara Lokesh arrived in Zurich on Monday, where he received a warm welcome from members of the NRI Telugu Desam Party (TDP), as part of his visit to Switzerland ahead of engagements linked to the WEF.

In a post shared on X, Nara Lokesh said, "Landed in #Zurich today to a warm welcome from the NRI TDP family. It was a pleasure interacting with them and witnessing their enthusiasm and deep connect with #AndhraPradesh. Looking forward to the NRI event later today, followed by engaging discussions in Davos over the next three days. #AndhraIsBack #APatWEF #WEF26."

Earlier on Monday, Nara Lokesh said that the WEF has evolved significantly since the 1990s, when Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu became "one of India's earliest global brand ambassadors" and added that Davos is no longer just about signing MoUs, but has become a platform to understand the future direction of business, technology, and policies.

In a post on X, Lokesh wrote, "#Davos has come a long way since the 1990s, when Mr. Naidu emerged as one of India's earliest global brand ambassadors. Today, Davos is not just about signing MoUs - it's about understanding where business, technology, and policy are headed. It's where relationships are built, assumptions tested, and the right questions asked."

The World Economic Forum (WEF) will convene its 56th Annual Meeting in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026, bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders from more than 130 countries at a moment of heightened geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty and rapid technological transformation.

Held under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue", Davos 2026 seeks to provide an impartial platform for global leaders from government, business and civil society to reconnect, rebuild trust and explore collaborative solutions to challenges that increasingly transcend borders.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see AP ministers actively seeking investment. But I hope these Davos meetings lead to concrete action, not just photo-ops and headlines. We've seen many MoUs signed in the past with little follow-through. The proof will be in the implementation.
D
Deepak U
Agri-food hub is a great vision. With our population, we need to focus on food security and tech. Partnering with a global player like Buhler for skilling is key. Let's hope the youth get trained in modern food processing techniques.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the focus on millets. It's a smart move aligning with global health trends and India's push for Shree Anna. If AP can become a processing hub, it could benefit farmers across several states.
A
Arjun K
The connection with the NRI community is a strong point. Their enthusiasm and connect can bring in not just investment but also knowledge transfer. #AndhraIsBack seems to be the mantra, hope it works out for the state's development.
V
Vikram M
His point about Davos evolving is correct. It's more about strategic dialogue now. Building long-term relationships with companies like Buhler is crucial. Hope this positions Andhra Pradesh strongly on the global investment map. 🇮🇳

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50