Indo-French Technology Meet 2011 to showcase French expertise in five key sectors

FRANCE: Ubifrance and the French Trade Commission in India are organizing the "Indo-French Technology Meet 2011" from 19th September to 1st October 2011 across the three cities: New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Promising to be one of the major events of 2011, the Indo-French Technology Meet will showcase French expertise and state-of-the-art technologies from France in five key sectors: Secure Payment and Identification Systems, Green Building, Sustainable Mobility, Nuclear Energy and Aerospace. An essential part of the "2011 France India Opportunities Program", this event aims to further the economic and commercial ties between India and France.

Placed under the patronage of Pierre Lellouche, French Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Indo-French Technology Meet provides a unique platform for French companies to meet and interact with leading Indian companies and decision makers and chalk out strategies for business development. There will be around 80 participants comprising of world-renowned French companies, SMEs and high-level representatives of French authorities. This 12-day event includes their participation in leading Indian exhibitions, a series of seminars & conferences and B2B meetings with Indian counterparts to present French know-how and latest technologies.

The Indo-French Technology Meet encompasses five key sectors:
- Secure payment and identification systems, with participation in the Smartcards Expo in New Delhi from 19-22 September 2011.

French SMEs have developed innovative solutions at the leading edge of technology. Together with their Indian counterparts they hope to contribute to the exponential growth of the identification technology sector, including the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) project, driving licenses, health cards, border and workplace security, banking solutions, etc.

- Green building, with participation in the Innovative Lightweight Faster Sustainable Building Construction Technology (ILFS) exhibition in New Delhi from 22-25 September 2011.

The French offering is diverse and comprehensive in terms of both technical expertise (energy efficiency experts and specialist architects) and innovative products (eco-friendly materials, low energy consumption equipment, renewable energy production systems, etc.) and can meet the energy and environmental priorities set by the Indian government’s latest five-year plan.

- Sustainable mobility, New Delhi, 26-28 September 2011, with an interactive exhibition at the French Embassy in Delhi, site visits and B2B meetings.

With the goal of improving traffic flow in the cities, improving safety, saving energy and time and reducing the ecological footprint of automotive transport, the French companies are all set to offer reliable, tailor-made solutions best suited to the Indian needs.

- Nuclear energy, with a French pavilion at the India Nuclear Energy (INE) exhibition in Mumbai from 28 September to 1 October 2011 and high-level workshops and round table conferences.

Seeking to diversify its energy mix, India has reaffirmed its commitment to develop nuclear energy. To that end, India is working in partnership with foreign companies that specialize in this sector, opening up real business opportunities for French companies. India Nuclear Energy is a key trade show where France already has a major footprint, with support in particular from GIIN (French Nuclear Industry Association).

- Aerospace, New Delhi and Bengaluru, 28-30 September 2011.

India’s aerospace industry is one of the most dynamic markets in the world. This industry owes its growth to cooperation between government-controlled Indian companies and foreign partners, particularly from France. Many French companies, most of them being members of GIFAS (French aerospace industries association), would like to enter this civil, military and space aviation market and are forging long-term ties with public authorities and Indian manufacturers.

Following the path laid out by the French and Indian governments, during the recent visit of the French President, the Indo-French Technology Meet will aim to reinforce business collaborations between French and Indian companies, to identify business opportunities and develop partnership ties with key Indian players.