11^th Technology Summit and Technology Platform 2005 in New Delhi and Visit to Bangalore, India

Canada has been selected as India's partner country for this year's Technology Summit and Technology Platform in India! The Summit, in conjunction with site visits in Bangalore and New Delhi and partnering events at a Canadian Pavilion, will focus on developing S&T linkages between India and Canada. Details on a recent government Canada-India S&T study can be viewed at: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/science/india_studyhighlights-en.htm .

The Technology Summit will feature expert speakers from both countries in technical and networking sessions, host dinner receptions for delegates, and offer wide publicity for Canada as the partner country. The Summit will provide opportunities for interaction with Indian research and development (R&D) institutions, academe, industry and government. It will also encourage strategic collaboration in identified areas of science and industrial technologies as well as promote joint-ventures in R&D, technology transfer, and investment in the S&T field.

As part of the Technology Platform Exhibition, the Government of Canada will be offering 9m² exhibition spaces in a Canadian Pavilion that will offer partnering and networking opportunities, as well as a maximum of two free passes per exhibitor to participate in the Technology Summit and twenty invitation cards for you to give potential Indian partners and whomever else you wish to visit you in your booth.

THEMES
Academic, private sector, and government institutions interested in forging new S&T partnerships for research and development, technology transfer, and commercialization of research as well as showcasing Canadian innovation at its best are invited to participate in this important bilateral event. Canadian participants will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and capabilities directly with Indian partners through networking sessions and site visits to industrial and R&D facilities. Experts will also be invited to speak on technical panels. This year's themes will focus on:

• Biotechnology, Health Research and Medical Devices;
• Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: The New Revolution;
• Sustainable and Alternate Energy and Environmental Technologies;
• The Next Generation of Information Technologies: Infotainment, Wireless, Rural Connectivity
• Earth Sciences and Disaster Mitigation Technologies
• Plus a workshop on "Ideas to Market: Public-Private Partnerships"
• Panel discussion on investment opportunities

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE

• Government
• Industry
• Academe
• R&D Laboratories/Institutions
• Transnational R&D Setups
• Contract Research Laboratories
• Technology Financing Organizations, Transfer Agencies, Intermediaries and Organizations.

WHY INDIA
Today India is emerging as a Global R&D hub and more than 150 multinational corporations have set-up their R&D units in India. India is also home to some of the most prestigious engineering, applied sciences and management schools in the world. India is doubling its investment in the S&T sector to over $8 billion in the next ten years. Substantial investments are being made such as 20 new national research centres, 220 universities, and 200 laboratories. These investments and complementary areas of expertise between the two countries present tremendous opportunities for collaboration between Canadian and Indian S&T institutions.

CANADA-INDIA S&T RELATIONS
Canada accords high importance to its S&T relationship with India. Its recently released International Policy Statement pays significant attention to India as well as S&T.

Participation in the CII Technology Summit will continue to build on the momentum of the 2005 Canada-India Joint Statement issued by the two Prime Ministers. A Joint Declaration on S&T Cooperation was also signed during the recent Canada Trade Mission to India led by the Minister of International Trade. This Joint Declaration lays the groundwork for a bilateral agreement and closer S&T cooperation with India.

The Government of Canada recently released a Canada-India Science and Technology (S&T) Study which shows complementarity between the two countries in a number of areas ranging from bio-sciences and chemistry to physics, earth and space sciences, engineering and technology. The study may be viewed at: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/science/india_studyhighlights-en.htm

The 2005 budget announced $20 million over five years to support new international S&T partnerships with select countries, including India.

OBJECTIVES

• To provide an interface for Canadian organizations with Indian R&D bodies, Academic Institutions, Industry and Government;
• To encourage strategic collaboration in selected areas of science and industrial technologies;
• To promote Joint-Ventures, Technology tie-ups and Investment in the S&T sector;
• To position Canada as a high-tech and innovative country;
• To respond to the International policy statement in supporting international science and technology partnerships by Canadian firms and research institutes with India.

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