Improve connectivity to Andhra, Naidu to Singapore air operators

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu Thursday met airline operators in Singapore and urged them to improve connectivity to and from his state.

On a three-day visit to Singapore, Naidu spent a busy second day meeting airline operators and CEOs of various companies.

He had a roundtable meeting with the CEOs of companies which have a global presence, said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office here.

Executives from 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 attended the meeting.

Naidu briefed them about the investor-friendly policies of his government and the potential for growth in the state.

"Our PM has given a call to 'Make in India', my call is 'Make in India, Made in AP'," he said.

The chief minister also met experts from the Centre for Liveable Cities and reviewed policies on land and transport systems.

The state government is exploring various models of roads, private cars, bus and other transport networks for the new capital city.

Naidu was invited for lunch by Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam.

He also visited the Singapore Land Transport Academy that trains, gives consultancy and helps in planning of city transport. The state government is exploring possibilities of collaboration.

The chief minister later discussed plans to work with the Housing and Development Board (HDB) of Singapore.

Naidu also called on Emeritus Senior Minister and former Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong.

Goh Chok Tong during his last visit to India had expressed Singapore's willingness to develop one smart city in India which could be a model for such development.