Taking forward their collaboration which began with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s visit to Tokyo in late 2014, the Governments of Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) and Japan on Wednesday signed Memorandums of Cooperation (MoCs) for the development of A.P.’s capital region, establishment of industrial clusters and logistical network(s), support to the industy and smart energy sectors and human resource development.
In a joint statement signed by them in the presence of Kenko Sone, Minister of Embassy of Japan in New Delhi, and Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu among other dignitaries, at the A.P-Japan Public-Private Joint Conference held in the city, Mr. Naidu and Japan Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yosuke Takagi said A.P. and Japan had agreed to collaborate in the given areas and the MoCs were also in confirmation of the progress of actions under previous memorandums signed by the two sides on in November 2014 and October 2015.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Takagi said Japan recognised the potential of A.P. and its efforts in rapidly developing a new State capital. He complimented Andhra Pradesh for taking measures in establishing industrial clusters and making the State a promising investment destination for Japanese companies.
Pre-feasibility study
The METI and the A.P. government would work together in the fields of smart infrastructure — data centre and cloud computing, disaster prevention systems by radar, traffic decongestion and water supply and sewage treatment systems.
Going into specifics, Mr. Takagi said Japan would conduct a pre-feasibility study on the ICT architectural master plan of the nine cities of Amaravati, prepare master plans for the development of an electronics city and a sports city zone in Amaravati and take up various projects in the due course.
Expressing satisfaction with the progress shown by Japanese METI in collaborating with the A.P. government in the development of Amaravati, Mr. Naidu said the State had targeted a growth rate of 15 % from the present 11.6 % and that the Japanese cooperation was crucial for realising the vision.
The Chief Minister asserted that the government was willing to extend necessary support to the Japanese agencies in transforming Amaravati into a futuristic city.
“I will do what the METI requires and it should ensure that the Japanese companies look beyond the SRI City where there are 15 of them already operating,” he said.
