The Hindu Business Line : French agro-food SME team to visit India

New Delhi, Sept 17 A French delegation of small and medium enterprises (SME) in the agro-food sector will visit India next year to strengthen business ties between the two countries, the visiting Foreign Trade Minister of France, Ms Anne Marie idrac, said.

“In the next two years, I intend to lead two separate SME delegations. The first one will be on agro-food. We are looking at beginning of summer next year for this. In the subsequent year, I am planning to bring an SME delegation on biotechnology,” Ms Idrac told reporters on the sidelines of a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) meeting on Wednesday.

A delegation of over 15 companies, comprising both large enterprises and SMEs, had accompanied the Minister on her visit to New Delhi. The focus areas for many of the companies were renewable energy and environment.

Commerce and Industry Minister Mr Kamal Nath had on Tuesday said India would welcome future visits from more SMEs in the agro-food sector. “We are looking to partner with France in the agro-food area,” he said.

In November 2008, a working group meet on agriculture would be held. Mr Nath indicated that this meeting would see an exchange of views on agricultural trade besides exploring collaboration in fruits and vegetables, grapes and wines, dairy, and animal husbandry.

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