The Andhra Pradesh government and US Trade Development Agency (USTDA) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of smart cities.
State Chief Secretary IYR Krisha Rao and Director of USTDA, Leocadia Zac, signed the MOU in presence of Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu and officials of the US and Indian governments.
Under this agreement, USTDA intends to contribute funding for feasibility studies and pilot projects, study tours, workshops and trainings related to smart cities. The agency will also support consultancies and advisories for the development of Visakhapatnam into a smart city.
Other agencies of the US government, such as the Department of Commerce and US Exim Bank, will also support the effort of the two parties to the MoU.
Meanwhile, the US Industry organisation, which has shown interest in participating in the development of Visakhapatnam, will provide the necessary infrastructure facilities like aviation and energy, an official release said.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the MOU is a good beginning for establishing and strengthening administrative processes for higher growth. This will also better relations between Andhra Pradesh and the US.