India to get A$25M assistance for research

By agencies   |   Tuesday, 07 March 2006, 20:30 IST
Printer Print Email Email
NEW DELHI: In order to expand ties with New Delhi beyond the political and economic spheres, Australia announced a A$25 million research assistance to India to foster cooperation in science and technology, including biotechnology. Both countries would sign a MoU to deepen research cooperation in biotechnology, visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard said during an interaction with Indian industry captains at CII-FICCI-Assocham organized conference. Mentioning that Australia has become a hot favorite among Indian tourists and entertainment industry, Howard said, “To facilitate this growth, I am pleased to announce that the Australian government will allow Indian citizens to access our tourist e-visa scheme.” The establishment of the Australia-India Joint Working Group on Energy and Minerals would be an “important vehicle to address trade and investment issues in the sector, exchange information on policy developments and identify possible commercial outcomes,” he added. “Our trade relationship is still maturing, and much more could be done to further facilitate and diversify two-way trade and investment," Howard said, adding that further relaxation of barriers that hinder free flow of goods and investment would allow markets to prosper and expand the economic complementarities between the two countries.