The Hindu : National : 'India, France ties entering best phase'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 09, 2006

National

National

'India, France ties entering best phase'

R. Chandrakanth

We were the first to support India's bid for a U.N. seat: envoy

Dominique Girard

Bangalore: Buoyed by the response of French companies participating in the Bangalore Bio (an international biotechnology event), the Ambassador of France in India, Dominique Girard, believes that the "seminal change" that is taking place in Indo-French relations will impact the two nations in a positive manner. Nearly 20 companies are participating now from almost negligible presence in the previous editions of the Bangalore Bio.

In an interview to The Hindu , Mr. Girard said Indo-French relationship "is moving into its best phase" with French companies realising the potential of India and wanting to expand on that; with the French government being highly supportive of India's nuclear energy programmes and also of its (India) bid for a permanent seat in the U.N. Security Council, besides the increased educational and cultural exchanges that are taking place.

Vast human resource base

With the opening up of the economy here, India's image as a destination for investment and trade has "clearly changed," though the processes could be hastened up. The bottlenecks such as "delayed decision-making" and infrastructure hassles are being addressed over here, but not at the same pace as China is doing it. However, he reiterates that "India's appeal will grow very much because of its flexibility." As of now, France is looking at the vast human resource base here, but hopes that the manufacturing sector will find its strength.

The synergies that the two countries are experiencing should catapult the trade, to begin with. "There are reports that in the next 10 years, the trade is expected to double. I believe this is grossly underestimated." France is ranked fourth among the exporting countries of the world and will continue to engage with emerging markets and India figures in France's list of five top countries for trade — U.S., Russia, China and Japan being the others.

Pinning hopes on the growing European Union, Mr. Girard says that it will have a "multiplying effect" benefiting India. Agreeing that trade-wise India is still not yet "big" for France, it should improve in sectors such as aeronautics, biotechnology, luxury retail trade, etc., besides traditional sectors. "Almost 250 orders for aircraft from EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space company) in one year is something phenomenal."

Joint venture

Mr. Girard mentions the inking of a joint venture between EADS and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in aircraft development and maintenance. Not just EADS, but companies such as Alcatel, Thomson, Saint Gobain, etc., are expanding their presence. As for Indian companies having problems of market access in France, he clarifies that efforts are on to make the process smoother for which purpose the Invest in France Agency (IFA), set up two years ago, is acting as a facilitator and providing market information.

On the issue of nuclear energy programmes of India "we completely supported India to have access to nuclear technology in the international market."

Student exchanges

Not limiting to political and economic issues, France, he says, is opening up its educational and scientific institutions for collaborative efforts. A new scheme is going to be in place which would allow registration of Indian students in universities. "We are looking at more student exchanges, double degree programmes, scholarships, etc."

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