By IANS,
Hyderabad : Washington State and Andhra Pradesh Wednesday signed a “joint statement of interest” to promote collaboration in business, trade, culture and education.
Washington Governor Christine Gregoire and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy signed the joint statement at a ceremony held here in the evening.
Under the agreement, the two states would promote cooperation in information technology, biotechnology, skills development, agriculture, horticulture, clean energy, health, education and hygiene.
Christine, who is leading a 50-member trade mission, said there was tremendous potential for cooperation in trade between the two states. She underlined the need for a direct air connectivity with Hyderabad.
The Washington governor pointed out that aircraft manufacturer Boeing was set up in her state in 1960 and world icons like Microsoft were also located in Washington.
Boeing is one of the major clients of Hyderabad-based engineering services and solutions company Infotech Enterprises Limited, whose campus the governor visited in the morning.
“Trade relations with India particularly Andhra Pradesh will go a long way,” a statement from the chief minister’s office quoted her as saying. She said Washington State was number one in renewable energy and had good education system with renowned universities.
Reddy said there would be not just business and trade relations between the states but also exchange of culture and education. He said the partnership offered a lot of benefits to both.
The chief minister briefed the delegation on the rapid strides made by the state in the recent years in information technology, biotechnology and other areas.