Naidu studies transport systems in Singapore

HYDERABAD: After visiting Marina Bay Sands Sky Park in Singapore to take his cue from the island nation in building a riverfront capital for Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during the second day of his visit to Singapore, on Thursday, tried to explore various transport systems being operated there.

Naidu, who has been claiming that he would set up world-class models of transport facilities for the new capital city of AP, met a panel of experts from the Centre for Liveable Cities in Singapore and tried to learn about the policies being implemented there with regard to transport systems.

'As the AP government is exploring various models of roads, private cars, bus and network for the new capital city, the Chief Minister, during the meeting, tried to know the best practices being implemented in Singapore,' the AP government stated in a press release.

After this, the Chief Minister visited the Singapore Land Transport Academy, which provides consulting services and gives technical support while planning city's transport. The state government is exploring possibilities of collaboration with this academy. Earlier in the day, Naidu met heads of airline operators in the island nation and discussed ways to improve air connectivity in AP.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister had a 'breakfast roundtable meeting' with the CEOs of Singapore companies which have a global presence. The Executives of companies such as Ascendas, SembCorp Design & Construction, Jurong International, Surbana, Meinhardt, Lee Kim Tah, National Computer Systems, Global Schools Foundation, Changi International, SATS, ISAS, Singapore Corporation, Enterprise and the Vibrant Group took part in the meeting.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister discussed investor-friendly policy of the state government and the potential for growth in AP. He said to investors: 'Our PM had given a call to 'Make in India', my call is 'Make in India, Made in AP'.

According to AP CMO, a film on AP, which was showed in the meeting, received a thundering applause from the CEOs.

After that, the Chief Minister had lunch with Singapore's Foreign Affair Minister K Shanmugam. His last meeting for the day was with Emeritus Senior Minister and former Prime Minister of Singapore, Goh Chok Tong.

Plan to work with HDB of Singapore

AP Chief Minister Naidu discussed plans to work with Housing and Development Board (HDB) of Singapore on AP's public housing. HDB plays a significant role in the urban development process in the island nation. It set up livable communities, in which 80 per cent of Singapore's population lives.