Maharashtra signs ports, airports deal with Singapore

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (File)

Maharashtra on Friday signed an MoU with Singapore to promote partnership in development of ports and airports in the state. The MoU was signed between Changi Airport International Ltd and Maharashtra Airport Development Company.

In a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis apprised him about initiatives taken by the state government to push mega infrastructure projects worth Rs 5.96 lakh crore.

Fadnavis met Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday. The Singapore PM agreed to set up a joint working group headed by CM and Singapore Information and Trade Minister S Iswaran to speed up assistance from Changi Airport International Ltd for Pune, Nagpur airport development as well as Surban Jurong for planning of Nagpur and Pune Metro Region.

The MoU between Changi International Ltd and MADC was signed in presence of Fadnavis and Iswaran. Both sides agreed to evolve an adequate framework to handle all cooperation in the civil aviation sector. According to a senior official, “Maharashtra and Singapore are looking forward to a long term partnership in airport projects. The state government made a detailed presentation on Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Mumbai airport plans.” During the meeting, Fadnavis and Iswaran agreed on a joint working team to expedite investment proposals, technology and knowledge partnership for the Pune and Nagpur Metro Region Development.

The Chief Minister also held interactions with captains of leading industries at the business round table meet organised by Iswaran. Fadnavis was on a three-day tour to South Korea and Singapore to push for overseas investments and business partnership for Maharashtra infrastructure.