France for stronger trade ties with India

France [ Images ] on Wednesday said it would soon initiate steps to forge stronger trade and economic ties with India, with focus on small and medium enterprises, transport and telecommunications sectors.

"Our diplomatic ties with India is strong but it is not the same in trade. There is enough room for improvement," French Industry, Energy and Telecommunications Minister Nicole Fontaine said at a business meeting in New Delhi [ Images ].

She said both countries should work towards developing better bilateral trade ties on the basis of "strong friendship" that exists between the two.

Fontaine, who would visit West Bengal [ Images ] on Thursday to explore business opportunities in areas like IT and telecom, said she and her delegation were here to study and find ways to increase and deepen bilateral trade ties.

During her meeting with Communications Minister Arun Shouri, both countries discussed measures to boost cooperation in trade and improve trade links. They also deliberated on issues like customs duty, visa related problems and seminars on SMEs.

She said that already there were several French companies like Alstom [ Get Quote ] and Alcatel working with Indian companies in different sectors like telecom, energy and infrastructure projects but they were looking for more joint ventures and partnerships in all possible areas.