Singapore to draw up development plan for Pune Metropolitan Region

By Realty Quarter Bureau

Singapore’s minister-in-charge of trade relations S Iswaran and Maharashtra’s chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, while chairing the inaugural Maharashtra-Singapore Joint Committee meeting on May 16, 2018 in Mumbai, signed a framework agreement, to facilitate Singapore investments into the state. They agreed to jointly work on the master plan and airport for Pune, which is Maharashtra’s fast-growing IT and manufacturing hub, said the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in a statement. They also agreed to look at collaboration opportunities in Maharashtra’s aviation, urban infrastructure and port and logistics sectors.

The ministers also witnessed the signing of a MoU between Enterprise Singapore and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), to collaborate on the planning and development of the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR). The PMRDA also presented a letter of award to Singapore’s Surbana Jurong, as its appointed master planner. The Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC) also presented a letter of award to Changi Airports International (CAI), for advisory services for the proposed new Pune Airport.

Enterprise Singapore, a state agency promoting investments, will work with the PMRDA to identify key developments in the region and facilitate the participation of Singapore companies in urban infrastructure, transport and logistics, and manufacturing. Enterprise Singapore will also conduct activities for knowledge exchange in urban planning and development with the PMRDA. Iswaran said: “The partnership with Maharashtra marks another key milestone, in our bilateral economic ties with India. Our collaboration on the Pune Metropolitan Region, including the development of the Pune Master Plan and Pune Airport, will deepen our engagement with Maharashtra and open doors to greater opportunities for our companies.”

It will also strengthen Singapore’s reputation and expertise in smart city development and urban rejuvenation, he said. “We will work together, to promote Maharashtra as an investment destination for Singapore companies, anchored by impactful and mutually beneficial projects,” Iswaran said. Tan Soon Kim, assistant chief executive officer of Enterprise Singapore said: “The MoU between Enterprise Singapore and PMRDA adds to our strong partnership and will boost Singapore companies’ participation in urban infrastructure, transport and logistics and manufacturing opportunities in the region.”