AP enters into MoU for improvement in competitiveness

Amaravati: The AP government entered into an MoU during second day visit of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu in Singapore on Monday to deepen cooperation in research and training to improve competitiveness.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Asia Competitiveness Institute – Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Government of Andhra Pradesh by Professor Danny Quah, Dean, LKYSPP and Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha.

Chandrababu Naidu thanked the Lee Kuan Yew Institute and said they have collaborated with the state for capacity building. He said that the partnership will result in high standards and the latest technology.

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

Chandrababu Naidu 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.

Chandrababu 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 Professor 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 program held in the LKY Institute, and spoke about “Potential Investment Opportunities and Dynamic Economic Development for 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.

He admired LKY Institute as one of international repute at the cutting edge of research.

Our vision is to be among the top 3 states in the country and the number one state in India by 2029 with the happiness of citizens kept as the basic principle, Chandrababu Naidu said.

Explaining about the opportunities in investing in Amaravati, he said 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.

AP already has a large traction in the automobile sector.

Chandrababu Naidu said that, “We have huge investments in food processing 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.”

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.

While explaining about 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.

He further explained that, “To ensure sustainable ecology, we are increasing our green cover and promoting ZBNF in a big way. Our policies are best in class and we provide the best incentives for our investors.”