MoU to work on technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, capacity building and investment opportunities
The Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Government of the United Kingdom today signed a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a long-term Government-to-Government partnership for sustainable urban development, with a focus on infrastructure planning, urban planning, technology transfer, integrated urban mobility and project development.
The MoU was signed at the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Velagapudi, by Mr S. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and Mr. Chaz Walia, Deputy Director, Government Partnerships, Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade, Government of the United Kingdom, in the presence of Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development Mr P. Narayana.
The partnership comes at an important phase in Andhra Pradesh’s urban transformation, as the State advances major development initiatives including Amaravati, while seeking to strengthen the planning, technology, financing and delivery of sustainable urban infrastructure.
Cooperation in 4 main areas
As per a release from the government the MoU provides for cooperation across four broad areas — infrastructure planning, urban planning and sustainable city development, technology transfer and innovation, and integrated urban mobility.
It also provides a framework for sharing expertise in project prioritisation, economic and financial viability assessments, business case development, programme management, planning and design, international standards and sustainable development practices.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s infrastructure pipeline by improving project preparation and investment readiness, including through better viability assessments, bankable business cases, programme management and adoption of international best practices.
“Our focus is not merely on exchanging ideas, but on converting expertise into implementable projects. We want this partnership to help us develop well-planned, investment-ready and future-ready urban infrastructure, while also strengthening the capacity of our institutions and professionals,” said Minister Narayana.
He added that the State would particularly look to leverage UK expertise in sustainable urban infrastructure, urban planning, mobility, technology and project development, while ensuring that such cooperation translates into practical outcomes.
Amaravati to Lead
As per the government Amaravati will be an important area of engagement under the partnership, as the State advances its vision of developing a modern, sustainable, resilient and globally benchmarked capital city.
The UK already has a longstanding engagement with Amaravati through Foster + Partners, which has been associated with the design of the key Government Complex, including the Legislative Assembly, High Court and Secretariat.
The State intends to build on this existing engagement and explore wider opportunities for UK expertise in urban planning, sustainable infrastructure, mobility, technology and project delivery as Amaravati enters its next phase of development.
“This MoU provides a strong institutional platform to combine Andhra Pradesh’s development priorities with the UK’s global expertise and translate that partnership into tangible projects and outcomes on the ground”, said Mr Suresh Kumar.
Riverfront Development
The partnership also provides opportunities for cooperation in riverfront development, urban regeneration and mixed-use urban development.
The proposed Amaravati Riverfront represents a significant opportunity to create a high-quality and sustainable urban asset. The State has been engaging with Team UK on potential areas of long-term cooperation, including the riverfront, UKEF-related opportunities, engagement with UK universities and broader infrastructure development.
Tech & Innovation
Technology transfer and innovation will be an important component of the partnership. The agreement provides for cooperation in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins, advanced construction technologies and research and development, alongside knowledge exchange and capacity building.
The two sides will also explore cooperation in integrated and sustainable urban mobility, covering public transport, metro rail, buses, airports, pedestrian movement and data-driven mobility planning. The objective is to improve connectivity and accessibility while reducing congestion, pollution and environmental impact.
New Financing Mechanisms
The MoU also provides a framework to explore innovative financing mechanisms and investment mobilisation for infrastructure projects in Andhra Pradesh. The agreement notes that the UK’s Export Finance agency (UKEF) has the capacity to consider financing support for eligible overseas infrastructure projects, subject to applicable financial eligibility, due diligence, UK-content and other requirements.
To ensure that the partnership moves from broad areas of cooperation to measurable outcomes, the MoU provides for a Joint Government-to-Government Steering Group, which will provide strategic direction and review progress approximately every six months.
The framework also provides for technical experts, knowledge-transfer programmes, workshops, peer exchanges, study visits and engagement with businesses and government bodies from both sides.
MoU Time Frame
The MoU will come into effect from the date of signing and will remain in force for five years, with the possibility of renewal and extension by mutual written decision.
Commissioner APCRDA Mr Vijay Rama Raju IAS; Additional Commissioner APCRDA, Mr Rahul; MD, APIIC, Mr Dinesh Kumar, IAS; and senior officials from CDMA, APCRDA, EDB and the Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation participated.
Similarly, the UK delegation included Mr. Mark Birrell, Trade Counsellor, South Asia, Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade, British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai; Mr. Gareth Wynn Owen, Deputy High Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana; Mr. Rishikesh Chanda, National Lead – Infrastructure; and Mr. Rohit Chandragiri, South India Regional Head – Infrastructure.
