Singapore-based engineering group focuses on Indian smart cities

SINGAPORE: A Singapore-based engineering consultancy is planning to set up Centres of Excellence in smart cities and project management with a focus on coutries like India which are emphasising on infrastructure development for economic growth and tackle challenges of urbanisation.

"I have an optimistic outlook on India and believe India will be one of the fastest growing economies in the region and globally," Meinhardt Group International's chief executive officer Omar Shahzad said here today.

"In line with (Indian) Government policy, there will be greater emphasis placed on the development of smart cities and new infrastructure to support rising economic growth and challenges of urbanisation," Omar told PTI.

Elaborating on the centres, Omar said, "These centres will serve as critical platforms for Meinhardt to develop smart-urban infrastructure planning and design capabilities to take on more complex urban infrastructure projects.

"These centres will reinforce Meinhardt's position as one of Asia's key providers for advanced engineering consultancy within the urban development space," he said.

Omar said Meinhardt has already expanded from a 2001 representative office to three corporate offices in Noida, Gurgaon and Chennai, today with sixteen site offices across the country employing more than 300 qualified engineers and support staff working on infrastructure and built environment projects.

Citing new opportunities in India and globally, he said the group is setting up Centres of Excellence in smart cities and project management, aligning with Singapore's vision to be the leading engineering services hub in Asia.

"Meinhardt's new Centres of Excellence in smart cities and project management are well aligned with Singapore's vision to be the leading engineering services hub in Asia," said Lim Kok Kiang, Assistant Managing Director at Singapore's Economic Development Board.