|
|
CANADA-INDIA: ONE
|
INDIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA COMMIT $2-MILLION TO RESEARCH AGREEMENT |
|
British Columbia and India will provide $1 million each to support research, development, and commercialization in life sciences and environmental technologies, Premier Gordon Campbell announced before a delegation of 145 Indian merchants at India Calling on Wednesday.
Life sciences involve all applications of biotechnology, relying on technologies such as genomics and nanotechnology, to help support and advance key economic sectors like forestry, health, bio-energy and agriculture. This new funding will help position B.C. and India to work together to increase the economic, social and environmental benefits that can be realized from a strong life sciences sector.
“Our economic, social and cultural relationship with India will continue to grow during the Pacific century, and it is important to enhance this relationship with collaborative projects that benefit both economies,” said Campbell. “This historic agreement between ourselves and India will benefit not only our province but Canada, India and our respective universities and industries.”
Campbell made the announcement at India Calling 2008, an international conference held by the Indian Merchants’ Chamber to provide a platform for Canadian businesses to explore opportunities offered by India and to enable the Indian business community to discover business opportunities and meet potential partners in Canada. There are 145 business delegations from India in Vancouver looking for investment opportunities. Previous India Calling conferences have been held in London, Singapore, Johannesburg and Dubai.
The proposed program will fund collaborative research and development projects between Indian and B.C. companies aimed at developing new innovative products and processes with commercial potential. It will also support internships for students and researchers from India or B.C. to be placed with a company in the other jurisdiction to work on research and development projects.
“This agreement will facilitate the increased exchange of university students between India and British Columbia, which will strengthen our ties with the Asia Pacific,” said Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell, who is also Minister responsible for Research and Technology. “Success lies in our collective efforts to support research, development and commercialization, and to invest in people and innovative ideas.”
“The union of technology, education and innovation is vital to our economies,” noted Minister of Economic Development Colin Hansen. “Through this program, we are making an important investment in our future health and well-being, supporting research in life sciences and green technologies.”
The programs will be managed by International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada. The not-for-profit organization is mandated by the government of Canada to promote global R&D co-operation that will boost Canada’s science and technology sector and ultimately strengthen B.C.’s economic, trade and political relations around the world. The organization will match B.C.’s $1 million and will seek added funding from other sources.
The provincial government has committed over $1.5 billion since June 2001 to research in B.C., and leveraged more than $900 million in added research funding from other sources. Government-supported research, innovation and technology provide a long-term foundation for a strong and vibrant economy, a sustainable environment and safe, healthy communities, both within British Columbia, and worldwide.
|
[Go To Top]
|
| |
|
|
