Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu promised to develop Amaravati as most livable city with people first concept on par with Singapore and international standards. He said everything should be focused on people-centric development to provide wealth, happiness and health in the new capital.
Addressing a gathering after signing MoU with Singapore consortium to develop start up area in Amaravati, the Chief Minister said Amaravati would be developed to witness dynamic economic activity.
Praising Singapore Government for its character and commitment, the Chief Minister said that the master plan developed by Singapore Government helped for a vision on development of capital. He said the start up area would be developed on Swiss challenge system. He said the nine cities in the capital would be developed to promote walk to work atmosphere. He sought the cooperation of Singapore Government to promote tourism in the state.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh and Singapore government signed a memorandum of understanding today to develop 6.84 km start up area in Amaravati. The Govt of AP issued a letter of award to the Singapore consortium consisting of Ascendas-Singbridge Pvt Ltd and Sembcorp Development Ltd as the master developer for Amaravati. The Singapore consortium will form Amaravati Development Partner along with Amaravati Deelopment corporation to undertake the development of start-up area.
Both the AP Government and Singapore Government also signed another MoU for economic development in AP, Enhancing capacities of government departments and agencies and promotion of bilateral trade and investment.
Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for Trade and Industry, Government of Singapore S Eswaran participated in the MoU signing ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion Singapore Minister Iswaran said that this is a momentous occasion. “ It all started two years back when Government of Andhra Pradesh invited us to prepare 3 master plans for Amaravati. The master plans were shaped greatly to suit the vision of Amaravati. The Singapore companies completed the master plan in a record time and the last of the plans were handed over in July 2015,” he said.
He stated that today’s’ gathering is a step further to realize the vision of Amaravati.
He said that the mission in front of them is to develop the startup area. He said that the partners will not only build the required infrastructure and attract the developers and companies both Indian and international but also create high quality residential and commercial and public facilities. “This startup area will certainly be heart of Amaravati. The efforts of the partners will also help job creation for the people of Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
He said that the MoU will also set up a process to indentify and link economic development opportunities with respective companies on a regular basis.
Earlier, Principle Secretary Ajay Jain welcomed the gathering. A 59-member Singapore delegation is present on the occasion of MoU signing.
Later the first joint implementation steering committee meeting was held soon after the MoU signing ceremony. The committee will closely monitor the progress of the project. Chandrababu Naidu and Isvaran are co chairmen of the committee. The joint committee will meet every six months and the officers committee will meet every two months.
The Chief Minister explained the initiatives of Government of Andhra Pradesh and added that many institutions like VIT, Amrita, SRM, Indi U.K Hospital have decided to come to AP. He said that Government has appointed McKinsey as financial consultant, Norman Foster as admin city architect and blue and green consultants.
Chandrababu Naidu said, "We look forward to a speedy implementation and hope that you bring best practices from across the world.”
In his reply, Iswaran said, "We are very thankful to you and for the trust that you have reposed in us. We will immediately start the process and soon we will complete all the initial procedures." He also mentioned that their PM is likely to visit India in the beginning of 2018 and he will probably visit Amaravati then.