Thaindian News

Bangalore, Feb 17 (IANS) The European Union (EU) Thursday set up a new business and technology centre in this tech hub to help Indian companies adopt clean technologies for protecting the environment.”We expect the new centre to foster links between European and Indian businesses and promote sustainable clean technologies in India, especially in the southern states,” EU Ambassador Daniele Smadja told reporters here on the occasion.

The centre has also tied up with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) to explore collaboration opportunities between European and Indian companies for technology transfer in energy and environmental areas.

“Our centre will build synergies between chambers of commerce in our member states and European business associations in India and Europe and act as an interface between public policy makers and private players to raise awareness of EU programmes in science and technology,” Smadja said.

The EU has similar centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata to promote business, research and technological development in the areas of energy and environment.

“Organisations and firms in Europe and India will benefit from our presence here by developing strategic business alliances and joint research projects with cutting-edge technologies,” Smadja noted.

Co-funded by the EU and coordinated by Euro Chambers, the centre will support European cleantech companies and researchers to foray into India in four key sectors such as biotech, energy, environment and transport.

“We believe that European firms and researchers will benefit from our presence in Bangalore, which is the knowledge capital of India. As a platform for advancing the private sector and research cooperation between EU and India, the centre will facilitate partnerships in the four key sectors,” EU business and technology centre director Poul V. Jensen said.

Lauding the EU for setting up its centre in Bangalore for the southern region, BCIC secretary general Sampath Kumar said the tie-up would bring the EU and the industry in Karnataka closer than ever.

“As the Indian economy is leaning towards the EU, especially in the area of IT, energy and environment sectors, the collaboration with the centre will create a win-win situation for Indian firms,” he added.