29-07-2025 12:00:00 AM
The two leaders discussed potential collaboration in green hydrogen, data centres, ports, logistics, and housing
On the second day of his high-profile visit to Singapore, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu advanced strategic collaborations in green energy, urban planning, and infrastructure, while reaffirming ties with the Singaporean government.
In a key diplomatic meeting, Naidu met Dr. Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Trade. The two leaders discussed potential collaboration in green hydrogen, data centres, ports, logistics, and housing. Naidu emphasized Andhra Pradesh’s clean energy ambitions and urged Singaporean firms to invest and share expertise in these sectors.
Addressing past concerns, Naidu assured Singapore that earlier challenges faced by its companies would be resolved transparently. “This visit is about rebuilding trust and shaping a forward-looking partnership,” he said. He also highlighted prior successes like the Singapore Township in Hyderabad and invited Dr. Tan to the Global Investors Summit in Visakhapatnam this November.
Dr. Tan expressed Singapore’s interest in housing and subsea cable sectors, noting ongoing work with the World Bank and voicing support for joint initiatives.
As part of his urban development focus, Naidu toured the 250-acre Bidadari Housing Estate—Singapore’s flagship eco-housing project. He praised the Housing Development Board (HDB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for turning a former cremation site into a thriving, sustainable community.
“This is a world-class model. Amaravati must take cues from such inclusive, human-centric design,” Naidu said. He held discussions with senior officials from HDB, URA, Singapore Corporation Enterprise, and the World Bank, inviting HDB to partner in Amaravati’s development.
Later, Naidu visited the Tuas Port—poised to be Asia’s second-largest container terminal—and encouraged PSA to explore joint ventures in Andhra Pradesh, particularly around tech transfer and maritime logistics.
He also toured the Singapore Sports School with badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, announcing a Sports City for Amaravati and integrated complexes in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. Singapore’s High-Performance System, which trains young athletes while balancing academics, was cited as a potential model.
“Singapore has shown how smart governance and planning can transform societies. Andhra Pradesh is ready to walk that path—with its own identity,” Naidu said.
Meanwhile, his son and Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, held separate high-level meetings aimed at building the state’s aviation and education sectors.
In talks with Anand Stanley, President of Airbus Asia Pacific, Lokesh proposed setting up a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Andhra, highlighting its strategic location and potential to serve India and neighboring countries. “We’re ready with policy support and infrastructure,” he said, inviting Airbus to explore investment opportunities.
In an education-focused session titled “Skills to Competencies,” Lokesh addressed academic leaders from NUS, NTU, and SMU, outlining reforms such as AI-driven curricula, Skill Universities, and AI Innovation Hubs. He advocated for shifting from “education for jobs” to “education for lifelong competency,” and proposed partnerships for curriculum co-development and skilling programs aligned with global standards.
“Let’s co-create solutions that raise the bar—not just for Andhra Pradesh, but globally,” Lokesh said.