Telangana signs LoI with leading Japanese Eco Town companies for Circular Economy initiatives, to establish Eco Town in Hyderabad

Major collaboration in Recycling, municipal waste management, environmental restoration

HIGHLIGHTS

* Let us collaborate for Green Infrastructure projects

* Big opportunities in Metro Rail, Future City, Regional Ring Road and Radial Roads, and Musi Rejuvenation, CM tells Japanese firms

* Environmental Innovation and Eco-friendly Circular Economy tops agenda in talks

* Both sides discuss sister city status for Kitakyushu-Hyderabad

* Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi requests for direct flights, CM promises to request Centre

* Set up Japanese language school in Hyderabad, CM tells Mayor Takeuch

* Help us with skilled, young workers, Mayor requests CM Revanth

* Let us build a bridge for the future, Revanth exhorts at meet

* Scope for working together immense, needs constant interaction and rapid deployment, says Sridhar Babu

* Delegation hosted for study tour to Eco Town, River restoration Museum, riverfront walk, industrial recycling plants

Kitakyushu, April 20

On a rainy Saturday, the official TelanganaRIsing delegation took a bullet train trip from Osin-Osaka to travel to Kitakyushu, one of the world’s most evolved cities in recycling, environment-friendly policies, and as exemplar in urban transformation – from one of the world most polluted cities to one of the cleanest.

Mayor of Kitakyushu, Mr Kazuhisa Takeuchi, accorded a ceremonial welcome to Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana Shri A. Revanth Reddy, and his delegation comprising IT & Industries minister Shri D. Sridhar Babu and officials at the historic Kokura Castle, including Samurai sword warriors and Taiko drum beats.

Welcoming the delegation, Mayor Takeuchi made a comprehensive presentation on the successful transformation of his city, from being one of the most industrial, and polluted, to one of the cleanest, greenest and environmentally safest cities in the world over the last few decades.

Mayor Takeuchi promised that Kitakyushu government and companies would be delighted to work with Hyderabad and Telangana to share their knowledge, processes, tech and experiences to help Telangana on a rapid journey towards the highest levels of environmental engineering, safety and restoration.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said, “It is a delight to witness this signing of letters of intent (LoIs) between our government and leading Japanese firms in the field of circular economy, waste management, recycling and environmental restoration. We have a strong commitment to both rapid development and jobs and wealth creation, and environmental protection and care. Sustainability is no longer a luxury nor an optional choice. We are delighted that we would be working together to establish an Eco Town in Hyderabad.”

“Today, as we witness the agreement between firms like EX Research Institute, P9 LLC, Nippon Steel Engineering, New Chemical Trading, and Amita Holdings, we realise how strong our friendship is. Since today is a special day. For Kitakyushu and Hyderabad – two good friends – I agree it is indeed time for exploring Mayor Takeuchi’s idea of a sister city agreement,” CM Revanth said.

“Today, when we shake hands, we are building a bridge to connect and benefit both cities, both societies. We are making an impact on future generations. We share a vision – clean, circular, green and sustainable. Your Eco Town shows what is possible when innovation meets commitment. I want to ensure the same for Hyderabad, and in the Net Zero target Future City,” he said.

Industries minister Sridhar Babu explained the growth and transformational plans for Telangana and the opportunities for Japanese firms to invest across industries.

“When you come to invest in Telangana, as our Chief Minister reiterates, you will find a Friendly government, robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and many complete initiatives aligned with environment and green innovation. Come and growth in Telangana,” Mr Sridhar Babu said.

Several ideas came up for discussion, among which, while the Japanese side sought a direct flight connecting the two cities, the Chief Minister sought a Japanese speaking school to be set up in Hyderabad. “You are facing a demographic problem where you need young people who can take on various roles. We have people with skills but one crucial gap is our people have to learn the Japanese language.”

The two sides also discussed a need for a mechanism to achieve time-bound goals and have regular interactions to review progress and achieve multiple goals during the collaboration.

Kitakyushu, one of the northernmost city on Japan’s Kyushu Island. is surrounded by Katsuyama Park, known for its spring cherry blossoms, is also well known for its turnaround rejuvenation project of river Murasaki from a dying polluted river to one of the cleanest river fronts with massive development.

The city government team took the Chief Minister and his delegation on a study trip to the river museum to showcase the restoration project and how the rejuvenation was implemented. The delegation was also given a riverfront walk, and a tour to industrial recycling facilities for working insight into global tech and best practices in circular economy.