Back UK Minister hints at continued support
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`The UK Government is working out strategy to continue partnership with India.'
Hyderabad , Nov. 6
The British Foreign and Commerce Affairs Minister, Ms. Margaret Beckett, today expressed her Government's support to continue the poverty alleviation projects in the State through the Department for International Development (DFID).
This project seeks to provide access to primary education, healthcare and electricity for the poorest.
After an interaction with the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, here at the State Secretariat, she hinted at the possibility of renewal of the project launched to provide infrastructure in urban areas and extending it beyond March 2008.
While the prime areas of focus would be primary education, healthcare and empowering women self-help groups, there is immense potential for cooperation in IT. During a brief visit to the city, she visited the Satyam Technology Centre at Bahadurpally, near here.
The UK Minister is learnt to have expressed satisfaction over the implementation of DFID projects in the State and stated that the UK Government was working out strategy to continue partnership with India across segments, which would include trade and economy.
The Head of DFID India, Ms Susana Moorehead, who was among the delegation that called on the Chief Minister, disclosed that the UK had sanctioned £252 million (about Rs 2,016 crore) aid under the DFID's centrally-sponsored schemes.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, Dr Reddy briefed the UK delegation about the development agenda of the State and the focus on irrigation projects and the agriculture sector and the stress laid on welfare measures in the State.
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