24 Aug, 2016

City of Adelaide Strengthens Ties With India

City of Adelaide has signed a statement of intent to collaborate and share learnings around Smart City developments with the city of Jaipur, India.

Both cities have the unique status of Cisco Global Lighthouse Cities and the agreement will open up opportunities for entrepreneurial communities in both cities, and provide a platform for future international trade in the digital economy.

City of Adelaide participated in the recent State Government-led business mission and met with the leaders of Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai Municipal Corporations to discuss bilateral collaborative opportunities.

Councillor Natasha Malani said the City of Adelaide Strategic Plan themes of Smart City and Green City strongly align with Jaipur’s aspirations.

“It’s exciting that two Cisco Global Lighthouse cities have signed a joint Statement of Intent to collaborate and share learnings, expertise and knowledge,” said Councillor Malani.

“This is the start of a long and prosperous relationship between our two cities that will deliver real benefits for our respective communities.”

Benefits will include better city services through leveraging technology and innovation, enhanced channels to international markets for our innovation and start up community, and a fast track to develop new technology and services through the sharing of our learnings.

Minister for Investment and Trade Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith MP said the South Australian Government is committed to seeing the State transform into a smart state.

“We already have strong credentials in the area and support the City of Adelaide’s endeavours to collaborate and share learnings around Smart City developments with the City of Jaipur in India,” said Mr Hamilton-Smith.

“This relationship further strengthens the State’s relationship with the Government of Rajasthan and supports key actions outlined in the Sister State Agreement signed in November 2015.”

“On behalf of Cisco, I am delighted to learn that two Cisco ‘Lighthouse Cities’, Jaipur and Adelaide, have signed a joint Statement of Intent to collaborate and share knowledge and experience as they both undertake digital transformation in pursuit of their smart city agendas,” said Cisco’s President for Smart+Connected Communities, Dr Anil Menon.

“This agreement reflects the momentum that the smart city movement has already achieved and will benefit both of these cities.

“This will also benefit cities worldwide either already undertaking, or considering, their own transformation journey.

“I’m sure that this collaboration, leveraging the skills of both cities, will lay the groundwork for innovative new programs and technologies that the entire world can share.

“We wish both cities every success and will work with them in every way we can to ensure that success.”

Further Information

Last night at its Council meeting the City of Adelaide noted the signing of the Statement of Intent with the City of Jaipur.

Administration will now develop a fully costed India Engagement Action Plan, which will include drafting a Memorandum of Understanding with the city of Jaipur to share mutually relevant Smart Initiatives.

A smart city is one that uses technology to transform its infrastructure and make better use of energy, resources and services. Adelaide is well on the way to becoming a Smart City and, with an enormous capacity for innovation, will use technology to embrace a better connected, more sustainable future.

Cisco recognised Adelaide’s potential when it made us Australia’s, and the Southern Hemisphere’s, first Lighthouse City.

Matt Halliwell