|
India and Israel have taken one more step forward to enhance cooperation in high technology areas by signing a “Statement of Intent” in this regard . The document was signed by the visiting Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour, Mr. Ehud Olmert and the Minister for Science and Technology and Ocean Development, Shri. Kapil Sibal at the end of bilateral talks here today.
The Statement expresses the desire to establish the India-Israel Industrial R & D Cooperation Initiative with the main objective of providing support for approved joint industrial R & D Projects between the entities of India and Israel. It will involve at least one industrial partner from each side and will aim at the development of products or processes to be commercialized in the global market. The two sides will identify, promote, facilitate and support joint industrial research and development projects between the two countries.
Later speaking to media persons, Shri. Sibal said that today’s talks will give further momentum to the cooperation that the two countries have been able to build over the last few years. Giving an account of growing strength of partnership, Shri. Sibal said that trade figure between the two countries is set to touch $ 2 billion this year which does not include defence products. At present, India and Israel are cooperating in 37 Science and Technology projects and 200 Indian scientists have visited Israel this year alone. Mr. Olmert said that Israel has a lot to offer in the fields of agro-technology, enrichment of seeds, system of green house farming and incubators for high technology areas.
The visiting dignitary invited Shri. Sibal to visit Israel next year to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.
|
