Amaravati, Sept 27 (KNN) France has shown a keen interest in having long term tie-up with Andhra Pradesh in infrastructure development, automobiles and renewable energy. A delegation of 39 heads of French companies called upon Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office in Tadepalli on Thursday and held discussions on matters of mutual interest.

The French team, which was on two - day visit to the state, stressed the need for long term and sustainable partnerships with the state. The MEDEF (Federation of France Entrepreneurs) led by Geoffrey Roux de Bezieux, said, Andhra Pradesh is the focal point of partnerships and collaborations of the MEDEF.

MEDEF has shown interest in investing in urban infrastructure, smart cities, urban development, automobile, solar renewable energy and logistics among others.

The chief Minister wanted farmers to have sustainable benefits from the sale of agro-products by these investments in the state. The government is looking for partnerships in smart energy systems and smart city administrative systems for the delivery of public services to the citizens.

The chief minister talking to the delegation stressed on identifying infrastructure projects to be established through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. He assured of support from government in investing waste management and water treatment.

India-France bilateral trade rose to USD 10.96 billion (8.91 billion euro) in 2016-17 from USD 8.3 billion (6.74 billion euro) in 2015-16. (KNN/ KS)

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