AP to leverage Singapore expertise

The state-owned Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) and the Singapore government have identified certain areas of collaboration, including environmental and water resource management for the upcoming projects such as Fab City and the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Region (PCPIR) in the state.

Speaking to Business Standard after a meeting with the visiting Singapore business delegation headed by Gan Kim Yong, minister of state for education, Singapore, here on Thursday, BP Acharya, vice-chairman and managing director, APIIC, said the modalities of collaboration would be worked out soon.

"Singapore companies and agencies have expertise in areas like environment management, which is required to manage large industrial projects like Fab City and PCPIR," he said.

According to him, there is also a possibility of forging joint ventures with Singapore companies in the development of infrastructure specifically required for waste disposal and water recycling at these projects. However, the APIIC would prefer them to execute and manage these projects on their own owing to the expertise they have.

Companies like Jurong, which is already working with the Sricity SEZ in Chittoor, would also be involved for developing designs for important projects and SEZs coming up in the state.

Acharya along with his officials made a detailed presentation of various projects, both completed and in the pipeline, to the Singapore delegation seeking investments and technical collaboration.

Kim Yong said some of the Singapore companies and governmental agencies gained good experience and expertise in dealing with environmental issues such as zero landfills in waste management, zero reliance on external water sources, and desalination and recycling of used water.