Shri Ram Vilas Paswan receives French Secretary of Telecom and Posts.

M2 PRESSWIRE-20 January 2000-INDIAN GOVERNMENT: Shri Ram Vilas Paswan receives French Secretary of Telecom and Posts (C)1994-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:20012000

* India and France agree to strengthen cooperation in telecom sector

Mr.Emmanuel CAQUOT, Director, Head of the Service for Information Society and Technologies (STSI) called on the Minister of Communications, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan here today. Mr. CAQUOT is the Head of the French delegation which is here for the meeting of the Indo-French Joint Committee on Posts and Telecommunications. At the conclusion of the three-day meeting, both the countries signed the minutes at a formal ceremony. Mr. CAQUOT apprised Shri Paswan of the telecom scenario in France and said that both India and France have tremendous opportunities in widening cooperation between them in such telecom areas as Internet and IT. The Minister said that joint projects in third countries should be further explored in the telecom sector.

Under the agreed minutes both the sides have expressed their interest to further intensify cooperation taking note of the new technological and services development, convergence of telecommunications, IT and Broadcasting and process of reforms. Recognising the need for enhanced partnership both sides also agreed to pursue and explore the possibility of joint projects in other countries with participation of Indian public sector units like TCIL, ITI, HTL and French counterparts. Both parties also agreed to encourage TCIL and SEMA Group to organise soon a meeting between High level representatives of the two companies to investigate potential cooperation in Africa

With regard to posts, both sides have agreed that as a follow up on the mission on Philately carried out by a French consultant, possibility of further cooperation and experience sharing in the areas of marketing, product diversification, printing etc. will be examined.

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).