By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, DEC 10, 2020: INDIA and Portugal have identified priority sectors such as water, healthcare, agritechand waste management, for collaboration, they said at a high-level tech summit this week.

The 26th edition of DST- CII Technology Summit was organised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) from 7–9 December 2020.

"India and Portugal have been rediscovering each other through science, technology, innovation, industry and markets and started collaboration in co-creating bilateral knowledge, collaborative projects in science, technology and innovation and co-operating on multilateral issues," said Mr Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary DST, in his keynote address.

The priority areas span sectors such as water, healthcare, agritech, waste management, clean tech, and information and communications technology (ICT).

"India offers huge market opportunities in each of these identified sectors and, therefore, partnership possibilities to address shared societal challenges. Most of these sectors are also the strengths for Portugal," Mr Sharma added.

Mr Eduardo Maldonado, President National Innovation Agency of Portugal, pointed that the two countries have a highly qualified young generation and excellent technological skills.

"[There are] great opportunities for enhancing cooperation through collaborative research and innovation projects," he said.

Staff exchanges in research and academic institutions and mobility, which can be done bilaterally or with Portugal as an entry point in joint European projects, were also discussed.

Portuguese Ambassador Mr Carlos Pereira Marques had said in the opening session that innovation is an absolute priority for India and Portugal as both the countries excel in these areas.

Marques added that despite of having different dimensions, both the countries have achieved a high level of excellence.

As per the statement by DST, the summit serves as a platform to forge and strengthen bilateral relationships with the recent edition leading to the formation of new joint ventures and creating new avenues for collaboration to boost trade and investment between India and Portugal.