Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the "Smart City Expo World Congress" in Spain's Barcelona city, a statement from the ministry said Sunday.As part of the three-day visit beginning Monday, Naidu will inaugurate the event Nov 18 and hold talks with Barceona Mayor Xavier Trias and other senior officials on the planning and evolution of Barcelona as a model smart city.
The minister will also hold discussions with senior officials of Japanese cities of Kyoto, Yokohama and Fukoka as well as the World Bank and leading companies of the world associated with building smart cities in the context of the Indian government's initiative to develop 100 smart cities in the country.Several countries like Japan, Germany, the UK, the US and some multi-national corporates have shown keen interest in partnering with the central government to build smart cities in India, the statement said.