SPEECH BY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (INDUSTRY) S ISWARAN ​AT THE LETTER OF AWARD FOR MASTER-DEVELOPER OF START-UP AREA & SIGNING OF G-TO-G MOU AT TAJ GATEWAY HOTEL, VIJAYAWADA AMARAVATI, 15 MAY 2017, 2.30 PM (SINGAPORE TIME)

1          In December 2014, Singapore was privileged to be invited by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to help create three masterplans for the development of Andhra Pradesh’s new Capital City Amaravati, comprising a Capital Region Plan, a Capital City Masterplan and a Seed Development Masterplan.  Chief Minister, the plans drawn up by Singapore company Surbana-Jurong were shaped to a great extent by your inspiring vision of "Amaravati – the People’s Capital".   Given the urgency of the project, Singapore accepted the challenge to complete the masterplans in record time, and the last of the three plans was handed over in July 2015.  Singapore’s involvement could have ended at that point but Chief Minister Naidu had always envisioned Singapore and Andhra Pradesh extending and deepening our partnership beyond planning to the actual development of Amaravati.

2          Today, we are gathered here to witness the first step in the realisation of that vision through the issuance of a Letter of Award to a consortium comprising Singapore companies Ascendas-Singbridge Pte Ltd and Sembcorp Development Ltd.  The letter confirms the Government of Andhra Pradesh’s decision to accept the consortium’s proposal to enter into a joint venture with Andhra Pradesh’s Amaravati Development Corporation to form a new company called Amaravati Development Partners (ADP).  While there have been some delays along the way, I am glad that our officials and companies have kept faith with each other and persevered to make our partnership a reality.

3          The ADP’s mission is to master develop the 6.84 square kilometre Start-Up Area on the southern bank of Krishna River, next to the Government Administrative Core.  The Partners will build the required infrastructure and attract developers and companies – both Indian and international – to create high quality residential, commercial and public facilities.  This Start-up area will be the heart of Amaravati.

4          The efforts of the ADP will also support the creation of good jobs for the people of Andhra Pradesh, while helping to establish Amaravati as a highly liveable city with excellent infrastructure and services, and high standards of governance.  Singapore is deeply honoured to be your partner in working towards realising this vision.

5          This partnership between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh is a key part of the broader Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore that PM Narendra Modi and PM Lee Hsien Loong established through their Joint Declaration on 24 November 2015.  Our leaders also committed both governments to deepen existing areas of cooperation and catalyse new ones. In that spirit, I am pleased to announce that Chief Minister Naidu and I will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding to increase collaboration in several areas mentioned in the Joint Declaration, such as capacity building and the sharing of best practices in Public Administration, the strengthening of business and cultural links, and increasing collaboration in Science and Technology. 

6          I am happy to note the presence here today of Singapore companies that are keen to participate in the business opportunities arising from the development of Amaravati and Andhra Pradesh.  Our MOU will thus also set up a process to identify and link economic development opportunities with prospective companies on a regular basis.  I would also encourage Singapore companies to closely study Sunrise Andhra Pradesh Vision 2029 to understand the economic priorities of the state of Andhra Pradesh and how you can play a role in this vision.

7 Mahatma Gandhi once said that "Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress”.  ​

8          While a clear vision is essential to inspire and unite otherwise disparate efforts, working together is what will ultimately yield results on the ground in a timely manner.  As each group of investors and developers works with government agencies and other institutions in Andhra Pradesh to build Amaravati, close collaboration and integration of efforts is the key to collective success.

9          Today we begin work on the vision of a People’s Capital that holds great promise for future generations. Chief Minister, Singapore and our companies are fully committed to this partnership with you, your team and the people of Andhra Pradesh.  Through our collective endeavour, I have every confidence that we will succeed to the benefit of the people of Andhra Pradesh and Singapore.

Thank you.

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