14 December 2016 PA-CN/16/25
Western Australia and Andhra Pradesh Sign a Sister State Agreement
The Governments of the states of Western Australia and Andhra Pradesh recently signed a Sister State Agreement that will provide a framework to strengthen and further develop the already growing business, education and cultural links between these states.
Signed by Western Australia’s Premier Colin Barnett and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Sri. N Chandrababu Naidu, the Sister State Agreement was finalised at a signing ceremony at the ‘Andhra Bhavan’ in New Delhi on 9 December 2016. Western Australia’s Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Multicultural Interests, Dr Mike Nahan, and Australia’s Consul-General for South India, Sean Kelly, participated and witnessed Chief Minister Naidu signing the Agreement.
“Under this historic agreement, Western Australia and Andhra Pradesh have committed to working together across four key economic areas – including mining and mining services, agriculture and fisheries, energy production and distribution, and higher and vocational education and training, in a bid to further diversify the economies of both States,” Premier Barnett said when announcing the Agreement.
Speaking at the signing event, Consul-General Kelly said: “This Agreement is not just an expression of intent - it is built on existing business links and concrete cooperation projects across mining, education and agriculture that both states are working tirelessly to implement.”
Western Australia and Andhra Pradesh share a wealth of mineral resources and agricultural land, which would be further developed through the agreement. The Agreement also seeks to broaden cooperation to include the fields of science and technology, infrastructure, water management, manufacturing, and sporting and cultural exchange.
For more information on the Sister State agreement visit https://news.wa.gov.au/new-trade-and-cultural-links-forged-with-india/
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