Visakhapatnam is set to host the CII Regional Partnership Summit 2026 on October 7, 2026, at the Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam (IIMV) campus in Gambheeram. Around 500 delegates, including Union and State ministers, public representatives, industrialists, business leaders and other stakeholders, are expected to participate.
The one-day regional summit is being organised ahead of the CII Partnership Summit 2026, which will be held in Visakhapatnam on November 12 and 13. The October 7 event will focus on MSME growth, deep-tech, technology, green energy, business opportunities, buyer-seller meetings and investment partnerships.
CII Regional Partnership Summit to Be Held in Vizag on October 7
Visakhapatnam will host the first of Andhra Pradesh’s regional CII Partnership conferences on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The summit will take place at the IIM Visakhapatnam campus in Gambheeram and is expected to bring together around 500 delegates from government, industry and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
According to the district administration, the event will begin in the morning and continue until the evening. Preparations are being coordinated across several government departments to ensure smooth participation and movement of delegates.
Around 500 Delegates Expected at IIM Visakhapatnam
The regional summit is expected to attract representatives from different parts of North Andhra along with senior government and industry stakeholders.
Expected participants include:
Union Ministers
Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet Ministers
MLAs and MLCs
Senior government officials
Industrialists
Business leaders
MSME representatives
Startups and entrepreneurs
Students and other stakeholders
District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore has directed officials to make arrangements for approximately 500 delegates.
Deep-Tech, AI and Technology to Be Major Focus
The Visakhapatnam regional summit will have a strong focus on emerging technology and new-age industries.
Key areas include:
Deep-Tech and Artificial Intelligence
Deep-tech innovation and artificial intelligence are among the key areas being highlighted at the Visakhapatnam conference, reflecting Andhra Pradesh’s push towards technology-driven industries.
Data Centres and IT
The summit will also focus on opportunities related to IT, data centres and the broader digital economy.
FinTech and Semiconductors
FinTech and semiconductor-related opportunities are part of the technology-focused agenda for the regional conference.
Global Capability Centres
The development of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) is another important area as Andhra Pradesh seeks to attract technology and knowledge-based investments.
Green Energy, Pharma and Med-Tech
Green energy, pharmaceuticals and medical technology are also among the sectors being discussed as part of the state’s wider investment strategy.
MSME Policy 4.0 to Get Special Focus
A major component of the summit will be awareness and support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Sessions related to MSME Policy 4.0 are expected to provide information about:
Credit and loan opportunities
Government subsidies
Institutional support
Government procurement
Business development opportunities
Support available for entrepreneurs
The regional conferences are intended to create a stronger connection between local MSMEs, startups, self-help groups and larger companies and PSUs.
Buyer-Seller Meetings to Create Business Opportunities
The summit will also feature buyer-seller meetings, providing local businesses with opportunities to interact with larger companies and potential buyers.
These interactions could help MSMEs explore:
New customers
Supply opportunities
Vendor partnerships
B2B collaborations
Business expansion
Strategic partnerships
The focus is to move beyond policy discussions and create direct business connections between smaller enterprises and larger industrial organisations.
MSME Exhibition and Andhra Pradesh Pavilion
An MSME industrial exhibition and an Andhra Pradesh pavilion are also planned as part of the event.
The exhibition will provide businesses with an opportunity to showcase their products, capabilities and innovations to industry representatives and government stakeholders.
District officials have been instructed to make dedicated arrangements for the pavilion and MSME exhibits.
MoU Signings Expected During the Summit
Several departments are also preparing for Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to be signed during the regional summit.
The exact companies, investment values and final MoU details are expected to become clearer during the event.
For businesses and investors, these announcements could be among the key outcomes to watch during the October 7 summit.
Single Desk Portal and Speed-of-Doing-Business Reforms
The Andhra Pradesh government is also expected to highlight its business facilitation initiatives.
The summit will showcase the updated Single Desk Portal and the state’s Speed-of-Doing-Business framework, aimed at improving the process of starting and operating businesses in the state.
These reforms are intended to make government approvals and investor interactions more streamlined.
One Family, One Entrepreneur Vision
The regional conferences are aligned with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s “One Family, One Entrepreneur” vision.
The government is positioning the conferences as a platform to connect local entrepreneurs, youth, women, self-help groups and MSMEs with larger industries and PSUs.
MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas has also encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, SHG members, students and MSMEs to participate and make use of the opportunities created through the regional conferences.
Security, Parking and Other Arrangements
With around 500 delegates expected, the district administration has made extensive preparations at the IIM Visakhapatnam campus.
Arrangements include:
Separate VVIP and VIP parking
Delegate parking
Entry passes and identity cards
Direction and indicator boards
Medical facilities
Fire safety arrangements
Food safety measures
Sanitation
Uninterrupted power supply
Venue beautification
Publicity arrangements
Officials have been instructed to coordinate across departments for the smooth conduct of the summit.
Five Regional Conferences Ahead of CII Partnership Summit
The Visakhapatnam event is the first of five regional conferences planned across Andhra Pradesh ahead of the main CII Partnership Summit.
The schedule announced by the State government is:
| Date | City | Major Focus |
|---|---|---|
| October 7 | Visakhapatnam | Technology & Deep-Tech |
| October 12 | Kakinada | Regional MSME opportunities |
| October 16 | Guntur | Regional MSME opportunities |
| October 23 | Anantapur | Green Energy & Heavy Industries |
| October 26 | Tirupati | Electronics |
The regional conferences are intended to connect local businesses with larger industries and create investment, procurement and partnership opportunities.
CII Partnership Summit 2026 in Vizag in November
The October 7 regional summit is a precursor to the larger 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026, which will be held in Visakhapatnam on November 12 and 13, 2026.
The main summit will bring together policymakers, global and Indian business leaders, investors, international participants and industry representatives.
According to the official CII Partnership Summit website, the November event will cover areas including trade and investment, technology and innovation, talent and skills, clean energy, agriculture and global economic partnerships.
The October regional summit therefore provides an important opportunity for Vizag and North Andhra businesses to connect with the larger investment ecosystem ahead of the main international event.
What to Watch at the Vizag Summit
Some of the most important developments to watch on October 7 include:
Major MoU announcements
Investment proposals for Andhra Pradesh
Vizag-specific projects
MSME opportunities
Startup and technology initiatives
AI and deep-tech announcements
Data centre and GCC proposals
Employment and job opportunities
New government incentives
Buyer-seller agreements
Announcements related to MSME Policy 4.0
The actual announcements and final participation details are expected to emerge during the summit.
FAQs
When is the CII Regional Partnership Summit in Vizag?
The CII Regional Partnership Summit will be held on October 7, 2026.
Where will the CII Regional Partnership Summit be held?
The summit will be held at the IIM Visakhapatnam campus in Gambheeram.
How many people are expected to attend?
Around 500 delegates are expected to participate, including government representatives, industrialists, business leaders and other stakeholders.
What is the main focus of the Vizag CII Regional Summit?
The Vizag edition will focus strongly on technology and deep-tech, along with MSMEs, AI, IT, data centres, FinTech, semiconductors, GCCs, green energy, pharma and med-tech.
Will MSMEs participate in the summit?
Yes. MSMEs, startups, entrepreneurs and self-help groups are among the key groups being encouraged to participate.
Will MoUs be signed at the summit?
MoU signings are expected during the summit, although the final companies and investment values will be known as the event progresses.
When is the main CII Partnership Summit 2026?
The main CII Partnership Summit 2026 will be held in Visakhapatnam on November 12 and 13, 2026.