HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) on Tuesday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Singapore to work on ‘Ease of Doing Business in AP.’’ The duration of the MoU is from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2018.
As part of the tripartite MoU, the parties will collaborate in conducting joint research programmes on issues such as strategies and assessment on ease of doing business and enhancement of economic competitiveness. The MoU also envisages regular visits of delegations, exchange of ideas and research strategies and joint seminars to assess progress on the project.
Further, Asian Competitiveness Institute at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy will be utilised as a platform for investment research and study of economic situations and investment opportunities in AP and ASEAN, China. This will also help promote joint research output through various channels in India, Singapore and other ASEAN economies. The parties will also prepare a joint Annual Progress Report(APR) summarising and detailing activities and research output. AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who was present on the occasion, said, “This will strengthen our relations with Singapore and spring up many innovative ideas and lead to cultural exchange between the two countries.”
“Let us be partners in development and work together to bring the best brains forward in building a happy, healthy and prosperous Sunrise AP,” he said.
ABC Water Policy
Highly impressed with the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) water policy of the Singapore government, Naidu urged the Singapore officials to offer their expertise in making AP’s canals and rivers Active Beautiful and Clean. Naidu directed minister P Narayana and secretary A Giridhar to coordinate with officials and work out a plan to implement ABC policy in AP’s towns. Bishan and Toa Payoh are established towns with attractive housing, vibrant commercial nodes and a diverse range of amenities. The Singapore officials told Naidu that 150 acres in the town has an ABC water policy.
Energy from Waste
Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, who is currently on a two-day tour to Singapore, on Tuesday visited a ‘Waste to Energy’ conversion facility, Keppel, located in Tuas there. The CEO of the industrial facility gave a presentation on their operations. Naidu enquired if there is a possibility of replicating Keppel’s model in AP and directed principal secretary MA & UD Giridhar to stay in touch with the plant officials to get inputs on the industrial model. Keppel is an industrial facility that provides technologies for the treatment of municipal solid waste and sludge. Its Waste-To-Energy(WTE) plants utilise advanced technology solutions to produce green energy from waste.