The State Investment Promotion Board approved 31 projects with a combined investment of Rs 394.37 billion (bn) that can generate direct employment for 111,278 people, and the chief minister directed officials to develop Rayalaseema as a solar hub. The meeting, chaired by the chief minister and attended by ministers and senior officials, endorsed proposals across energy, information technology, tourism, food processing and manufacturing. The chief minister stressed timely execution and insisted on robust transmission infrastructure to enable power evacuation and future interstate supply. Officials said the State can generate up to 325 gigawatt (GW) of solar power and called for long term planning to avoid under utilisation. Strengthening transmission networks was presented as essential to prevent under use of capacity and to position the State as a reliable supplier to neighbouring regions. The SIPB reaffirmed support for renewable energy and battery storage projects while requiring industry level safety measures. A major thrust was placed on electronics manufacturing, with Sri City, Kopparthy and Anantapur identified as hubs for consumer electronics and component production. The chief minister urged establishment of global capability centres to strengthen the information technology ecosystem and create high value employment. The SIPB approved three companies under the Amaravati Quantum Valley initiative, signalling attention to advanced technology sectors. Departments were instructed to ensure projects meet stipulated timelines and that memoranda of understanding from investor summits are implemented with regular SIPB monitoring. Support for farmers and allied sectors will include expansion of food processing capacity and enhanced marketing for crops such as palm oil and cocoa while strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises for inclusive growth. Officials noted that over the past 22 months the SIPB cleared 264 projects worth Rs 9.36 trillion (tn), generating employment for 960,000 people and positioning the State for significant industrial expansion.