Partners

ASEAN

The ASEAN Secretariat was set up in February 1976 by the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN. It was then housed at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia in Jakarta. The existing ASEAN Secretariat at Jakarta was established and officiated in 1981 by the then President of Indonesia, H.E. Soeharto.

The ASEAN Secretariat's basic function is to provide for greater efficiency in the coordination of ASEAN organs and for more effective implementation of ASEAN projects and activities The ASEAN Secretariat's vision is that by 2015, it will be the nerve centre of a strong and confident ASEAN Community that is globally respected for acting in full compliance with its Charter and in the best interest of its people. The ASEAN Secretariat's mission is to initiate, facilitate and coordinate ASEAN stakeholder collaboration in realising the purposes and principles of ASEAN as reflected in the ASEAN Charter.

Department of Science & Technology

The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India is mandated to strengthen "Research and Development" base of the country through organizing, coordinating and promoting Scientific & Technological activities. It is the main public policy support body for Science & Technology.

The Department is also the major agency in the country for promotion of basic sciences with a share of nearly 50% of Extra Mural funding of research projects. The Department plays a critical role in the technology development programmes relating to key sectors as well as in the development of International Cooperation in Science and Technology. The Department is promoting international collaborative R & D in various areas of Science & Technology through bilateral collaborative programmes with about 80 countries as well as through multilateral arrangements. Popularization of science, relating science to society, promotion of entrepreneurship, National Resources data management and generation of databases and initiatives targeting empowerment of women through applications of Science and Technology form important areas of focus for planned interventions by the Department. The Department has been collaborating with many other socio-economic ministries in the Government and Science and Technology Councils of various State Governments. The Department has been supporting an array of autonomous institutions engaged in basic research, technology forecasting, laboratory accreditation etc.

FICCI

Established in 1927, FICCI is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India. Its history is closely interwoven with India's struggle for independence, its industrialization, and its emergence as one of the most rapidly growing global economies.

A non-government, not-for-profit organisation, FICCI is the voice of India's business and industry. From influencing policy to encouraging debate, engaging with policy makers and civil society, FICCI articulates the views and concerns of industry. It serves its members from the Indian private and public corporate sectors and multinational companies, drawing its strength from diverse regional chambers of commerce and industry across states, reaching out to over 2,50,000 companies.

FICCI provides a platform for networking and consensus building within and across sectors and is the first port of call for Indian industry, policy makers and the international business community.