September 21, 2005
No. 166
Collaborative research between Canadian and Indian scientists and entrepreneurs will
benefit from $6.75 million in increased Government of Canada funding over five years,
International Trade Minister Jim Peterson announced today at the 11th Technology
Summit and Technology Platform 2005 in New Delhi, India.
“Succeeding globally also means partnering globally,” said Minister Peterson. “As a
knowledge economy, we understand the benefits of close ties with this emerging R&D
powerhouse. Not only will this funding help advance Canadian research and
development, but it will enhance our commercial relations with India, and give our
companies the edge in their sectors of expertise.”
The funding will assist in the development and commercialization of new technologies
under the new International Science and Technology Partnership Program. The
five-year program, totalling $20 million, is aimed at building science and technology
(S&T) relationships with a view to commercializing innovative ideas with selected
countries, including India, China, Israel and Brazil.
Canada was invited by India to be the partner country of this year’s summit. Canada’s
largest-ever S&T delegation from academia, business and government shared the
stage with Indian counterparts to introduce research and development collaboration
and new technology opportunities.
An example of the type of joint work that could occur as a result of the new funding is
the recent memorandum of understanding signed between Tata Consulting Services of
India (TCS) and Canada’s Communications Research Centre (CRC). Through this
partnership, TCS and CRC will develop wireless broadband access technologies with a
special emphasis on applications to enhance rural communications.
Delegates from academic institutions from across Canada attending the Summit are
enthusiastic about this S&T mission, which has a strong academic focus. This mission
is helping Canadian university representatives to forge linkages with Indian academic
institutions, and to foster partnerships with Canadian public and private sector
organizations with similar interests in building global economic prosperity.
Minister Peterson noted that “Canadian universities are open for business.”
Canada has invited the Indian Minister of State for Science and Technology, Kapil
Sibal, to visit Canada later this fall with a view to maintaining the momentum in S&T
collaboration created by both countries at the Summit.
Parliamentarians Gary Carr and Marlene Jennings, and Dr. Arthur Carty, National
Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, are also participating in the S&T mission to India.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is
therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
For more information, and a list of participants, see
http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/science/india_techsummit_partprof-en.htm.
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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
