TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: France would soon establish office of its Honorary Consul in Goa, and co-operate in the field of Higher Education by establishing engineering and management institutes in the state, the French Ambassador to India, Francois Richier said Friday.
On the tourism front, the diplomat said that France was looking to bring a chain of hotels to the state and participate in Urban development.
Richier told Herald that on his second visit to Goa in less than two months, he had met the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and both had discussed various issues. “I met the Chief Minister and amongst other things we’ve spoken of establishing an (office) Honorary Consul to promote relations between Goa and France,” he said.
The French Ambassador further said the talks between him and Chief Minister also included co-operation in the field of higher education with establishment of engineering and management institutes in the state.
“I’ve discussed the possibilities of establishing engineering and management institutes with the Chief Minister of Goa.”
Urban development has been on the agenda with French companies waiting to make the deal in the sector, the Ambassador said. “Urban development of the state from different angles is being deliberated and investments in urban infrastructure is the key segment,” he said adding that talks were in the initial stage and more announcements could be expected from the French diplomat in the near future.
Richier will deliver the valedictory speech at the PAN – IIM World Management Conference on Saturday, where engineering and management academics are present.
Adding to the technological education will be the Indo-French Technological Summit on 24th October in New Delhi where French institutes of research and higher education in technology would participate and deliberate the possibilities of establishing institutes in India.
