France wants closer cooperation with Maharashtra in infrastructure, films

MUMBAI: French President Francois Hollande today evinced keen interest in strengthening cooperation with Maharashtra in the fields of infrastructure and water transport, besides Bollywood.

Apart from the proposed nuclear power plant coming up in Maharashtra with French technology, Hollande said his country wanted to increase cooperation with the state in diverse areas like infrastructure development, water transport and agricultural products.

The President expressed happiness that many French companies were already operating from the state.

He said he would like more Indians to visit France, particularly students for pursuing education there and Indian filmmakers were welcome to the country for shooting.

He was speaking to Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan at the Raj Bhavan here.

Welcoming President Hollande to Maharashtra, the Governor said the state offers tremendous opportunities for France to increase its business cooperation in areas like infrastructure development, retail, horticulture, tourism and other sectors.

Minister for Public Works and Tourism Chhagan Bhujbal, Minister of Industries Narayan Rane and Minister for Protocol Suresh Shetty were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Hollande arrived in Mumbai on a day's visit from Delhi and was welcomed by Shetty at the airport. The visiting dignitary is scheduled to attend a FICCI event before his departure back home.