New Delhi, March 4: France is likely to place substantial orders for equipment by way of sub-contracts with Indian firms both in the public and the private sector for the large number of development projects being set up with its assistance in the West Asian countries. Such sub-contracting will be made under schemes for development co-operation which are currently under discussion with Mr. De Moriel, leader of the official French economic delegation, which is now in the capital. Mr. De Moriel called on the Union Finance Minister, Mr. C. Subramaniam, this evening and had talks with him lasting for over 30 minutes.
France is also likely to provide assistance for the construction of submarine pipe lines for the transportation of crude oil to the coast from the Bombay High off-shore oil-fields when the development wells in the area are completed and start commercial production. The Union Finance Ministry is understood to have drawn up a large number of areas in which technical co-operation between France and India could be established. The object of Mr. De Moriel’s present visit to India is to make a “tour de horizon” of the entire gamut of development cooperation between the two countries both within India and in the third countries. The subjects identified by the Finance Ministry cover fertilizers, electronics, communications, agriculture, oil exploration, etc.
Published – March 05, 2025 02:42 am IST