Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had a bilateral meeting in Zurich on Monday with Carmen Walker Späh, Head of Department for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich and Government Councillor, discussing future collaborations for mutual cooperation and development on both ends via Sister State Agreement. Naidu is attending the 48th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting which is a unique opportunity where about 3,000 leaders of business, government, international organisations, academia and civil society have assembled to focus on “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World”.
A letter of Intent was exchanged between Government Councillor of the Canton of Zurich, Carmen Walker Späh, and Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Minister for Finance and Planning, Commercial Tax and Legislative Affairs, Government of Andhra Pradesh to forge a treaty of friendship. The aim is to further strengthen mutual cooperation in areas of Information and Communication Technology, Environmental Technology, Life Sciences, Urban and Regional Development. Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board and the Department of Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich will be responsible for executing this LOI and seeing it through to its fruition.
At the formal signing ceremony, Counselor Carmen Walker Späh said, “Zurich is very strong in technology and innovation. Also the education system is very good in Europe along with a high quality of life.”
The Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Government of Canton of Zurich will support their collaboration through mutual exchange of information and knowledge sharing. Devising of joint cooperation plans, industry-specific programmes and projects will be among the most crucial highlights of this agreement. Establishment of joint expert groups and regular round tables; implementation of training and other events of an educational nature; regular expert level consultations will leapfrog this partnership to the next level.
The Chief Minister endorsed this signing and appreciated this effort of collaboration as one of shared interest for fruitful future dividends.