Vijay Kiran Anand, CEO of Invest UP, on Wednesday highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s rapid economic transformation over the past few years, outlining a strong
policy framework, expanding investment opportunities and a future-ready ecosystem being built to attract both domestic and global investors. Speaking at the India Economic Conclave 2025 on December 17, Anand said Uttar Pradesh is fast emerging as one of India’s most preferred investment destinations, driven by sustained infrastructure development, industrial corridors, policy reforms and improvements in ease of doing business. "Today, UP is the second-largest economy in the country, with a burgeoning middle class, high aspirations, and strong economic dynamism: Vijay Kiran Anand (CEO- Invest UP) said at IEC 2025.
Today, UP is the second-largest economy in the country, with a burgeoning middle class, high aspirations, and strong economic dynamism: Vijay Kiran Anand (CEO- Invest UP) addresses the gathering at the IEC 2025.@IDFCFIRSTBank #IEC2025 #INDIAECONOMICCONCLAVE pic.twitter.com/61AmCOfm0I
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 17, 2025
“UP has consistently been awarded as a leading achiever in central government schemes, and the indicators clearly reflect this,” Vijay Kiran Anand said.
He noted that Uttar Pradesh’s investment roadmap positions the state as a major driver of India’s economic growth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the country’s most populous state has set a long-term vision of becoming a $6 trillion economy, with a medium-term target of $1 trillion.
Anand also pointed out that Uttar Pradesh is now a revenue surplus state and has emerged as India’s second-largest economy. The state recorded manufacturing growth of 20 per cent last year, marking a sharp turnaround from a decade ago when around 500 factories were registered annually. That number rose to 4,000 last year, and the state is now targeting the registration of 8,000 factories this year.
“Each department is moving towards systemic, smart governance through technology, team-based structures, and a long-term vision,” he said.
“UP is emerging as a service-sector hub, with cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Agra gaining prominence,” Vijay Kiran Anand added.
Anand attributed much of the state’s transformation to sustained infrastructure investment and long-term planning. “The biggest transformation has come through infrastructure investment and meticulous planning. We now have seven operational expressways and six more under development,” he said.
The state has also become a key manufacturing hub, particularly in electronics. “UP has become a major hub for smartphone manufacturing, accounting for over 50 percent of production,” Anand said.
In the defence sector, Uttar Pradesh has made notable strides as well. Anand said the state’s defence corridors have attracted more than 60 defence companies that are currently operational, strengthening India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
