Mayor To Fly Economy Class For Summit

Mayor Banda Karthika Reddy, and Deputy Mayor Jaffer Hussain, accompanied by GHMC secretary and 10 members of the FAPCCI, will travel economy class when they fly to Australia to take part in the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit to be held in Brisbane from July 6 to 8.

The reason behind the Mayor and her fellow-travellers opting to fly economy class is said to be that the government has sanctioned a 'paltry' Rs. 4 lakh for their trip.

Karthika Reddy will stay in Australia till July 11. While in Australia, she is expected to sign a 'sister-cities' agreement with her Brisbane counterpart.

Besides the delegation from Hyderabad, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit is the only person from the country to take part in the summit.

In a letter to the media, Karthika Reddy said that the Lord Mayor of Brisbane had honored her by inviting her to attend the Biennial Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS).

The summit will help drive business opportunities and economic growth through international trade and investment for Brisbane, South East Queensland and the wider Asia Pacific Region which includes India, the Mayor said.

She added that she would take the opportunity to represent Hyderabad city at such a prestigious civic forum, which is Asia Pacific region's premier international businesses, as a privilege.

The summit will feature world-renowned speakers and case studies about sustainability, connectivity and managing cities' growth.

Karthika Reddy further said that by attending the summit, her team will have the opportunity to learn about the latest trends and challenges for cities, to meet international business leaders and government decision-makers, to expand international networks, to increase business growth, to forge partnerships with international business and government agencies, to raise the Corporation's profile, and to interact with the Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Civic CEOs Councilors.

The team will also be exposed to trade and investment opportunities.

She added that more than 1,000 civic delegates from 100 global cities are attending the summit this year.