NEWS RELEASES

November 18, 2005 (11:00 a.m. EST)

No. 222

CANADA AND INDIA SIGN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION AGREEMENT

International Trade Minister Jim Peterson and India’s Minister of State for Science and Technology and Ocean Development, Kapil Sibal, today signed a joint science and technology (S&T) agreement that will enhance and strengthen collaborative research and development activities between the two countries.

“This agreement will boost Canada’s competitiveness through knowledge and technology transfer to address the challenges and opportunities created by the rise of emerging markets such as India,” said Minister Peterson. “Down the road, this could mean exchanges of scientists and other experts, joint science and technology projects, and many other benefits.”

“Under the new agreement, Canadian and Indian researchers, universities and businesses will work more closely to discover new ideas and products,” said Industry Minister David L. Emerson. “It will build on our mutual strengths and shared priorities in science and technology.”

As noted in the government’s Economic and Fiscal Update, released earlier this week, a diverse and technologically advanced economy requires strong and steady investment in research and development to convert knowledge into jobs, and to encourage partnerships between government, the private sector and academia.

This agreement will support the development of S&T partnerships and collaborative research among business, academic and government researchers and innovators in various sectors, including biotechnology and nanotechnology, renewable energy and earth sciences, and information communications technology. It will also facilitate joint research and development activities that will help Canadian companies to commercialize their innovations by providing access to international technologies and by promoting Canada as a destination for foreign technology-based investments.

The S&T agreement aligns with CAN-Trade, launched earlier this week, which is a key part of the government’s action plan for securing our nation’s future prosperity.

Canada recently announced $6.75 million over five years to promote S&T collaboration with India under the new Canada-India R&D and Innovation Program. India also declared that it will contribute equally to this program.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Jacqueline LaRocque
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office
International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502