Kapil Sibal in France to Strengthen Indo-French Cooperation in S&T

The Union Minister for Science and Technology and Ocean Development Shri Kapil Sibal is on a two-day visit to France from 2nd to 3rd May 2006. The main objective of his visit is to review and further strengthen the bilateral programme of cooperation in the area of Science and Technology and to create focused cooperation between newly created high-tech Competitiveness Clusters (Poles de Competitivite) in France and corresponding S&T Parks in India.

During his visit he met Mr. Francois Loos, Minister of Industry, Economy and Finance and Mr. Philipe Douste-Blazy, Minister for Foreign Affairs. He was given a detailed presentation on Competitiveness Clusters by the Paris Ile-de-France Regional Development Agency. Shri Sibal visited one of the leading Competitiveness Clusters, Genepole Meditech Sante that focuses on neurosciences, oncology and infectious diseases. During his interactions with the officials and scientists and entrepreneurs of start-up companies, the possibilities of joint R&D and industrial collaborations were discussed. The Minister had wide ranging discussion with the French Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Ministers felt that the French industries needed to be exposed to Indian markets and S&T capability. The French Foreign Minister agreed to lead a high level delegation to India. It was agreed to create intense cooperative arrangements between thematic clusters in the areas of Micro-elctronics, Pharma-nanobiotechnology and water technology. With a view to support the cooperation it was agreed to create a fund jointly with governments and industries from two sides. In view of the need for enhanced S&T cooperation between the two countries, the cooperation programmes will be periodically reviewed and monitored by the ministers.

The Minister also visited two more Competitiveness Clusters, “Cap Digital” and System@tic. specializing in developing digital content and technologies and complex systems design and management respectively.

Shri Sibal also had a meeting with Senator, Mr.Pierre Laffitte, the founder President of Sophia Antipolis Science Park. Sophia Antipolis is one of the oldest Science Parks that was set-up in 1969 and has more than 1200 companies many of them global. It was agreed during this meeting that a broad based collaborative arrangement will be worked out between Sophia Antipolis and Department of Science and Technology. It was also agreed to create an Indo-French Institute on water technology.

On the invitation of ESSEC Business School, the Minister addressed the Alumni and students on the “India in the 21st Century: Contradictions, Achievements and opportunities”.

He also met the French Minister for Research and Higher Education, Mr. Francois Goulard and reviewed ongoing S&T cooperation programmes.

Shri Sibal made a courtesy call on President Jacques Chirac and appraised him of his discussions with the French Ministers and agreements on various methods of raising the level of S&T cooperation between India and France.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : May 03, 2006