Andhra govt signs MoU with NUS to collaborate on modern governance aspects

Expanding their ties with Singapore, the Andhra Pradesh government have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on various aspects of governance with the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Representatives of the Andhra government (left) and ACI exchanging the MoU document.
Representatives of the Andhra government (left) and ACI exchanging the MoU document. Photo courtesy: LKYSPP

The MoU was signed by the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Dinesh Kumar, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) Dean Professor Kishore Mahbubani, and Associate Professor Tan Khee Giap, Co-Director, Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI) at LKYSPP in the Lion City.

The three aspects laid down were: strengthening knowledge and practices of governance and public administration, independent audit of real-time monitoring system and key performance indicators and master plan on ease of doing business in Andhra Pradesh, agencies reported.

The NUS has agreed to work on a potential programme designed for supporting the senior public officials on formulation of public policies, emerging governance models via case studies, seminars, research and field trips.

This will act as a platform for advance executive training programmes for civil servants to study formulation of public policies, economic situations and investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh, Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.

To attract investments to the state, which has the vision to be the most preferred investment destination by 2050, the ACI at LKYSPP, NUS and the state government will jointly conduct a research on the strategies to enhance the economic competitiveness.

This concentrates on improving the Ease of Doing Business Rank of the state.

ACI at LKYSPP, NUS shall work with local government officials, think-tanks, senior national and local government officials in India towards achieving the three objectives.

The Vision Management Unit (VMU) under Andhra Pradesh State Development Planning Society (APSDPS), Planning Department and Department of Industries and Commerce are the acting nodal agencies for NUS to carry out all the activities agreed in the MoU.