Last Updated on June 20, 2026 6:54 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
Our Correspondent
HYDERABAD – Over 500 prominent business leaders, policymakers, investors, and academics gathered at the SAS iTower in Khajaguda for the inaugural Hyderabad Economic Forum (HEF) 2026. Hosted by SAS Infra alongside knowledge partner Bower School of Entrepreneurship, the summit operated under the theme “One City. One Vision. Infinite Possibilities” to map out the city’s economic trajectory and solidify its standing as a premier global hub.
The event’s centerpiece was a keynote address by Chief Guest Sri Sridhar Babu, Telangana’s Minister for IT, Industries, and Legislative Affairs, titled “Hyderabad: Becoming India’s Innovation Capital.” Highlighting India’s dramatic rise to 39th in the Global Innovation Index, Sridhar Babu emphasized Telangana’s determination to lead the country’s 21st-century paradigm shift toward talent and ideas.
“Telangana has emerged as one of the country’s most dynamic innovation hubs, earning ‘Top Performer’ status in the States’ Startup Rankings,” Sridhar Babu stated. “Through pioneering initiatives such as AIKAM, the Telangana Data Exchange (TGDeX), a ₹1,000-crore Startup Fund of Funds, a proposed AI University, and an AI Literacy Mission targeting 20 lakh government school students, we are building a state where innovation is embedded in education, governance, and entrepreneurship.” He concluded by inviting global creators to bring their ideas to Telangana, promising robust ecosystem support.
The day-long forum featured more than 20 distinguished speakers, including Dr. Ch. Preeti Reddy, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Satish Dua, and tech entrepreneur Rahul Attuluri, with select sessions moderated by journalist Faye D’Souza. Panels crossed multiple high-growth sectors, spanning Global Capability Centers (GCCs), life sciences, and AI transformation, while evaluating if Hyderabad could become India’s first truly global real estate market. Reflecting on the summit’s success, Dr. G.V. Rao, Chairman of SAS Infra, praised Hyderabad’s unique ability to excel simultaneously across tech, infrastructure, and retail, securing the forum’s role as a permanent platform for the city’s long-term economic vision.