Singapore consortium to develop Amaravati
More than 20 officials have been trained to date
Hyderabad: The Singapore Trade and Industry Ministry has said that a Singapore consortium comprising Ascen-das-Singbridge Group and Sembcorp Development Limited has expressed in-terest to develop the Seed Capital Area in Amaravati.
Singapore minister S. Iswaran said they are preparing to submit a bid for the project. He attended the foundation stone laying ceremony at Amaravati, on Thursday along with Singapore’s Special Envoy to AP Gopinath Pillai and officials of his ministry. Mr Iswaran said he is representing PM Lee Hsien Loong, who was invited to the ceremony by AP Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Mr Iswaran said, Surbana Jurong Private Limited was appointed as the master planner to help create three master plans for the new capital city. As part of the partnership, Singapore also worked with AP to train and share expertise in urban governance with AP government officials involved in the development of Amaravati and the capital region. More than 20 officials have been trained to date.
Meanwhile Singapore’s leading newspaper The Straits Times revealed that the actual construction of government buildings is scheduled to start only next year.
It said the building infrastructure in the capital city project could cost about one trillion rupees that is equivalent to S $21.4 billion.
Mr Iswaran said “Much work now lies ahead for the government and people of Andhra to build world-class infrastructure, and implement economic and social policies to attract investors from India and overseas in order to realise the vision of a strong and sustainable economy and city in Amaravati.”