VISAKHAPATNAM, India – This week, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency launched the third phase of support for Visakhapatnam’s (Vizag) efforts to develop modern, efficient, and integrated urban infrastructure.

Since the partnership began, leaders in the State of Andhra Pradesh and the City of Vizag have worked closely with a U.S. company team led by AECOM, and supported by KPMG and IBM. This third and final phase will build on their progress by implementing five near-term infrastructure projects in the energy, transport, water, and emergency communications sectors. It will also bolster Vizag’s capacity to sustainably implement smart city infrastructure projects. This phase will continue connecting U.S. companies to business opportunities in Vizag.

“We are all excited to watch Vizag continue its transformation moving forward,” said Acting Director Enoh T. Ebong. “We appreciate the opportunity to continue collaborating with Vizag on its smart cities goals, and connecting the city to leading U.S. solutions.”

During the grant signing ceremony at the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, Collector Pravin Kumar remarked, “The seeds for the vision and the growth plan for Vizag have been laid very well.  Thanks to the efforts of the U.S. consortium, we are now committed to take this to a full-scale implementation of making Vizag a clean commerce capital.”