German tech research firm agrees to push ‘Make in India’
Europe’s largest application-oriented research company Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft has signed an agreement with the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) to become technology partner in India’s drive to push its domestic manufacturing. “A framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed today between the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI), Government of India and Fraunhofer, Germany with later as technology resource partner. The objective is to support and augment the ‘make in India’ programme through increasing the innovation and technology prowess of Indian industry,” the Ministry of Heavy Industry & Public Enterprises said in a statement on Monday. The agreement was inked in the presence of R Katoch, Secretary of the Department of Heavy Ministry, senior officials from the Ministry of Heavy Industry and representatives from Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL). As part of the agreement, Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft will create a framework for the technological development; for identifying and plugging technology gaps in the Indian industry. It will also identify projects in manufacturing, work with various stakeholders in government, industry and academia to increase cooperation in applied research. The Department of Heavy Industries, along with Fraunhofer, will now undertake technological surveys and run a number of awareness, technology development and assimilation programmes to give a thrust to the ‘make in India’ initiative. “The MoU is also a strong indication of German support to Indian economy. This will pave way for induction of latest technologies in capital goods sector. SMEs in industrial clusters will be the main beneficiaries,” the statement said. Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft conducts research activities through its 66 institutes and research centres spread across Germany with an annual research budget of €2 billion.
October 06, 2015 | 3:10pm IST.
to success.