11 December 2017 PA-CN/17/12
Australian delegation visit to Andhra Pradesh
As part of Australia’s ongoing relationship with Andhra Pradesh, Australia’s Consul General for South India, Mr Sean Kelly, led an Australian delegation to Andhra Pradesh on 11 December with the objective of strengthening economic ties with the state.
The delegation included representatives from the Governments of Western Australia and Queensland, the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cites, BTI Payments Pvt Ltd., Ador Powertron Ltd., Synapse Medical, Curtin University, NSL Mining Resources India and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.
In a significant step forward, the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities, based out of Monash University in Australia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in the presence of Hon. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri. N. Chandrababu Naidu. The partnership will bring Australia’s world-leading urban design expertise to help the state maximise the use of scarce water resources, both in the design of its new capital of Amaravati and as it expands and redevelops existing urban centres.
Mr Kelly said that the partnership would, “make Andhra Pradesh the leader in India and among the world’s best practice in water sensitive design”.
The leaders also witnessed the signing of a second MoU between Curtin University and the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Cooperation Ltd. to establish an Australian-run, world-class Institute of Mining Education and Research for Andhra Pradesh. In describing the collaboration, Mr Kelly said that the project “will be a game-changer for India’s mining industry” given Curtin University’s reputation as a world leader in mining education and research.
In addition to meeting the Chief Minister, the delegation held discussions with the Hon. Minister for IT and Rural Development Shri. Nara Lokesh and the Hon. Minister for Health and Medical Education, Shri. Dr Kamaneni Srinivas, as well as senior officials of a range of departments. “We explored a range of exciting areas of collaboration, ranging from mining to skills development, infrastructure to research collaboration, road safety to digital health,” Mr Kelly said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kelly reflected that this would likely be his last visit to Andhra Pradesh before he takes up his new assignment in Australia in January 2018. Mr Kelly explained that, “the strengthening of relations between Andhra Pradesh and Australia and the establishment of the Australia-Andhra Pradesh Economic Cooperation Working Group has been one of the proudest achievements of my tenure”.
Mr J Krishna Kishore, CEO, Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board said “We thank both the Government of Australia and Australian industry members for their interest in forging long term partnerships with Andhra Pradesh. Today’s meet expanded opportunities of collaboration in education, mining, healthcare, finance and roads safety. I thank the Australian Consul General to South India, Mr. Sean Kelly for advocating for Andhra Pradesh and its conducive business environment.”