Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh has stepped up efforts to attract fresh manufacturing investment to the state, holding talks with South Korea’s Boo Young Group over a proposed footwear and components production facility. Continuing his South Korea visit on its fourth day, Lokesh met Boo Young Group CEO and President Director Ryan Kang and Business Strategy and Planning Manager Millie Richardson. During the discussions, he invited the company to examine investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh and highlighted the state’s expanding industrial ecosystem. The talks focused on the possibility of establishing a footwear manufacturing facility along with a components production unit. Lokesh presented Andhra Pradesh as a competitive destination for manufacturers seeking infrastructure, logistics connectivity and faster project approvals.
Lokesh highlights Andhra Pradesh’s industrial advantages
During the meeting, Lokesh highlighted the state government’s investor-focused policies and assured company representatives of support through single-window clearance mechanisms. He also pointed to infrastructure available in key industrial regions and the state’s connectivity through ports, highways and other logistics networks. According to the minister, Andhra Pradesh is focusing not only on ease of doing business but also on improving the speed at which investment proposals move from approval to implementation. The state government has been seeking to attract companies across manufacturing sectors by offering suitable industrial land, infrastructure support and faster administrative clearances. The footwear sector is seen as capable of creating employment across manufacturing, assembly, components, packaging and logistics. A major footwear and components facility could also support the development of a broader supplier ecosystem around the project, potentially opening opportunities for smaller manufacturers and ancillary businesses.
Boo Young Group explores ready-built sheds
Boo Young Group representatives responded positively to the investment proposal, according to the information shared during the meeting. Ryan Kang said the company was interested in exploring the establishment of a footwear and components manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh. The company is reportedly assessing ready-built industrial sheds as part of its initial evaluation. Such facilities could help reduce the time needed to begin operations compared with constructing a manufacturing plant entirely from the ground up. Kang also indicated that Boo Young Group’s international network could help connect manufacturing operations in India with overseas supply chains. This could give an Andhra Pradesh facility access to export markets and international sourcing networks. For the state government, attracting a global footwear manufacturer would strengthen its efforts to expand labour-intensive industries capable of generating significant employment.
AP pushes for global manufacturing investments
Lokesh’s engagement with Boo Young Group forms part of Andhra Pradesh’s wider push to attract global investment into manufacturing and export-oriented industries. The government has been promoting the state’s coastline, ports, industrial corridors and transport infrastructure as major advantages for companies seeking to manufacture in India while remaining connected to global markets. The discussions with the South Korean company are still at an exploratory stage, and details such as investment size, location, production capacity and employment potential have not yet been announced. However, Boo Young Group’s interest in examining ready-built infrastructure is being seen as a positive development in the investment talks.
The Andhra Pradesh government is expected to continue discussions with the company as it evaluates possible locations and infrastructure options for the proposed footwear and components unit. For Lokesh, the meeting adds to the state’s campaign to position Andhra Pradesh as a destination for international manufacturers seeking faster approvals, industrial infrastructure and strong logistics connectivity.
