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Singapore PM arrives in Hyderabad

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has arrived in Hyderabad on a two-day state visit.

Accompanied by his cabinet colleagues, top officials and a 21-member business delegation, Goh Chok Tong arrived by a special flight at 1845 IST on Wednesday. He was accorded a warm welcome by Andhra Pradesh Governor C Rangarajan, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, his ministerial colleagues, Union Minister of State for Urban Affairs and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya, senior officials and a host of dignitaries at the Begumpet airport.

Soon after his arrival, the Singapore premier attended a banquet hosted by Governor Rangarajan at the Raj Bhavan.

On Thursday, Goh Chok Tong will visit the Hyderabad Information Technology, Engineering and Consultancy City (Hitec City) at Madhapur and the Indian Institute of Information Technology complex at Gachi Bowli on the city outskirts. Chandrababu Naidu will accompany the Singapore premier during his visit to these places.

In the afternoon, the visiting dignitary will participate in an interactive session with Chandrababu Naidu, his cabinet colleagues and senior state officials at Jubilee Hall. After attending a lunch hosted by Chandrababu Naidu, Goh Chok Tong will leave for Bangalore at 1723 IST.

The state government has made impressive arrangements for the visit of the Singapore premier. The city thoroughfares have been spruced up and banners and buntings hoisted at various places. The civic authorities have given a facelift to the main throughfares at a cost of Rs 20 million. The police have also made unprecedented security arrangements for the visiting dignitary.

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