AP counts on cutting edge

Amaravati: The AP government on Monday entered into an MoU with a Singapore institute to deepen cooperation in research and training to improve competitiveness on the second day of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s visit to the island state.

The MoU was signed between Asia Competitiveness Institute-Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Government of Andhra Pradesh by Prof Danny Quah, Dean, LKYSPP and state’s Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha.

Thanking the Lee Kuan Yew Institute, which he recalled they had collaborated with the state for capacity building, the Chief Minister said that the partnership would result in high standards and the latest technology.

Expressing confidence on the institute, Naidu said, “Training of our senior bureaucrats is done here, so that our government is equipped to fulfil our vision of 2029. This institute is also guiding the Government of Singapore”.

The Chief Minister had a lunch meeting with leading industrialists in Lee Kuan Yew Institute before participating in the meeting of Asia Policy Forum. The topic for the meeting was ‘Transformation Change and Health Checks for Singapore Small and Medium Enterprises’, according to the Chief Minister’s Office here in Amaravati.

Naidu launched two books, including ‘Balanced, Sustainable and Competitiveness Enhancement (BSCE) Study for Vietnam: A Critical Evaluation with Development Potentials’ by Minister Heng Swee Keat with Dr. Vu Tien Loc, chairman and president, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The second book is ‘Productivity Tracking and Efficiency Monitoring of Singapore’s Small and Medium Enterprises’ by Prof Danny Quah, Dean, LKYSPP. Singapore grew from adverse conditions into a world economic powerhouse, stated the visiting Chief Minister while delivering keynote address at the programme held in the LKY Institute, and spoke about “potential investment opportunities and dynamic economic development for the state of Andhra Pradesh”.

He said that AP also faced bifurcation problems four years ago and is navigating through all the initial obstacles. Singapore has helped us prepare a master plan for our capital in the initial days of the state, and we will be forever indebted to them, he said and admired LKY Institute as one of international repute at the cutting edge of research.

Our vision is to be among the top three states in the country and the number one state in India by 2029 with the happiness of citizens kept as the basic principle, Naidu said. Explaining the opportunities in investing in Amaravati, he said that the state government was attracting a lot of FDI and it was number one in ease of doing business. LKY institute is already helping in the planning stages and for public policy, he added.

The Chief Minister said the state had huge investments in food processing from companies like Mondelēz International Inc., Pepsi, ITC and several MSMEs. “Tirupati is now the hub for electronics and manufacturing. Foxconn too has a large manufacturing facility in AP. All investments are tracked real time and followed up efficiently by officials,” he said.

“The state government is building infrastructure grids to make manufacturing and business easy, like the smart water grid, gas grid, roads grid, power grid and fibre grid. The infrastructure includes world-class ports, airport infrastructure, quality and reliable 24X7 power, abundance of land, 2 industrial corridors and road and rail connectivity,” he explained.

While explaining the government’s initiatives in technology, he said that he was leveraging technology to ensure effective implementation of welfare measures, and are developing outstanding social infrastructure with universities, schools, hotels, hospitals and more.

Speaking at the plenary of World cities Summit on the second day, the Chief Minister said Amaravati would be developed protecting its ancient glory and providing modern infrastructure. Stating that Amaravati has a special status in the history of the country, the Chief Minister said the Amaravati capital should reflect the wishes and hopes of 5 crore people. The Chief Minister also stressed on affordable housing with modern amenities in capital city.

The Chief Minister said priority would be given to protect water and environment while developing the capital city with modern technology. He said using internet of things the ground water, water sources, climate and air quality would be analysed to provide better living conditions in the city.
Naidu said steps have been taken for proper use of urban and rural garbage and encouraging people to switch over to natural farming to prevent usage of dangerous pesticides.

Earlier the Chief Minister have a glance at Singapore city solutions exhibition and directed the officials to study the housing pattern adopted by Singapore to provide affordable housing with modern amenities in Amaravati.

Stating that Amaravati is a major point of investments due to its blue green nature, 30 km water front, social infrastructure and trained manpower, the chief Minister said to ensure sustainable ecology ``we are increasing green cover and promoting Zero based natural farming in a big way’’. He said Amaravati is going to emerge as a major economic hub and appealed to world giants to look at AP for investments.