UAE, Telangana Partner for Net-Zero Smart City Project

Telangana has secured international backing for its flagship urban development initiative, Bharat Future City, with the United Arab Emirates agreeing to collaborate on the project. The announcement followed high-level discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, positioning the proposed city as India’s first net-zero greenfield smart city and a key pillar of the state’s long-term economic vision.

Davos Talks and Strategic Understanding

The understanding was reached after a meeting between Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, and A Revanth Reddy, who led the Telangana Rising delegation. The talks focused on collaboration in large-scale infrastructure and urban development, with Bharat Future City identified as a priority project. The Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that both sides agreed to jointly develop the city as a world-class global urban centre.

Bharat Future City Vision and Scale

Bharat Future City is central to Telangana’s ambition of becoming a $3 trillion economy by 2047. Spread across nearly 30,000 acres, the proposed city is envisioned as a sustainable urban-industrial hub. Plans include dedicated zones for artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, manufacturing, residential development, and entertainment. The project is designed to follow net-zero principles, integrating clean energy, green mobility, and climate-resilient infrastructure from inception.

Investment Interest and Global Partnerships

Several global firms have already expressed interest in participating in the project, including Japan’s Marubeni and Singapore-based Sembcorp. The UAE minister proposed setting up a joint task force comprising officials from both sides to ensure time-bound implementation. Separately, Saudi-based industrial group Expertise indicated interest in partnering with Telangana’s Young India Skills University to supply skilled manpower for sectors such as petrochemicals, power, steel, and water treatment, with plans to recruit about 5,000 professionals annually.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Bharat Future City is proposed as India’s first net-zero greenfield smart city.
• The project aligns with Telangana’s target of becoming a $3 trillion economy by 2047.
• Net-zero cities aim to balance greenhouse gas emissions with absorption.
• World Economic Forum meetings often facilitate state-level investment partnerships.

Skills, Sustainability, and Future Outlook

The Telangana delegation also highlighted initiatives to build a future-ready workforce through industry-led skilling, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship programmes. Discussions extended to sustainable agriculture and climate solutions, with reports of interest from global technology firms in supporting these efforts. The UAE partnership adds momentum to Telangana’s broader strategy of leveraging international cooperation for sustainable and inclusive growth.