The US is keen on providing technological support to India’s Smart City initiative.In this regard, the US wants to seek opportunities in all the proposed 100 smart city projects.
US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews, who is on a five-day India visit and leading a delegation of 18 US companies on a
Andrews said the delegation comprising 18 US firms have come to meet both policy makers and Indian businesses and would showcase the great technologies that provide great value and potential for India.
"We believe that US can be a very valuable partner in helping India to develop sustainable economy," Andrews said, adding that there are substantial business opportunities for the US companies in India's smart city projects.
US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Leocadia Zak said the US has helped in master planning of Visakhapatnam smart city and is provided technical support to Allahabad and Ajmer.
"This is the beginning of the process. Our efforts are not limited to three cities. US businesses have the technological solutions which will be helpful across India," Andrews said.
The government had recently announced the first batch of 20 smart cities from 11 states and Delhi.
Apart from Bhubaneshwar, the cities in the first batch are Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bhopal, NDMC area of Delhi, Jaipur, Surat, Kochi, Jabalpur, Visakhapatnam, Solapur, Davanagere, Indore, Coimbatore, Kakinada, Belagavi, Udaipur, Guwahati and Ludhiana.