French
ambassador to India Francois Richier, after walking out from the meeting which
was held on Saturday with French business leader’s
and while speaking with the reporters and said that France will look to open its Visa offices, French higher education promotion agency and campus here by the end of this year.
and while speaking with the reporters and said that France will look to open its Visa offices, French higher education promotion agency and campus here by the end of this year.
He
revealed that campus office of France would look to develop higher education
institutions in Kerala to bridge the gap between Kerala and France.
Around
India they have witnessed 400 active MoUs operating under Indian educational
institutions and each of it is sending at least one student to France. France
had initiated the prospect to ensure visas to 3000 Indian student which was the
call of last year and amongst them 300 students were given French scholarship.
It
is not shocking to understand that 350 French companies are operating their
business throughout the India but what’s more interesting to understand is
amongst 350, five of the companies are functioning within the shore of Kochi.
Accor
SA a chain hotel of France is building hotel Ibis within the periphery of Kochi
and following the same course Tim Gullois one of the French marketing and
communication professional have undertaken one of the native communication
company Saltmangotree.
Richier
while speaking in context of prospects said, France is very much open to give
soft loans to develop eco-friendly projects around Kerala and they have already
sanctioned an aid to support the plan of Kochi Metro.
He further added that
France is extensively looking forward to invest more in private sectors. While
talking on joint approach of space research he said such initiative would
benefit Vikram Sarabian Space centre of Thiruvananthapuram.
When
it comes to investment than the French companies have already spend $ 19
billion and the rate of investment in Indian companies over the five years as
recorded was $ 1 billion every year.
From
the investment rate roughly 10% of it would go for a research and development
and understanding the prospect many French companies have set up research
centres throughout India.
While
speaking in terms of prospect he was accompanied by many dignitaries like
Patrick Rousseau, chairman and managing director of Veolia water and French
Consul General Philippe Janvier Kamiyama.