The AP information technology department is in talks with British companies to help the government implement its innovation and start-up policy. The companies have been approached to visit the Smart Village in Visakhapatnam and give ideas.

The government is working with the British Council on the project and a team of representatives from the British government. Companies are likely to visit the Smart Village over the next few weeks.

Government adviser J. Satyanarayana said that the government approached Britain as it has been in the forefront of innovation. Satyanarayana said, “The visit might take place in the middle of April. After the team visits the Smart Village, it can be taken further.”

On what he expects, Mr Satyanarayana said, “Suppose there is a company in the UK which specialises in mobile technology, we can do start-up match making with a similar company here.”

Experts have pointed out several times that AP will need to focus on innovation to generate opportunities in major sectors like IT, electronics and manufacturing. Help from innovation-driven countries like Britain will be useful.