India, South Korea sign science and tech MoU

A bilateral FTA could also be considered within the ambit of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

India and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in science and technology.

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President APJ Abdul Kalam also hinted that a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could be considered within the ambit of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The MoU, signed on Tuesday between India's Department of Science and Technology and Korea Industrial Technology Foundation, includes sharing of work for promoting technology innovation and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

It also provides for exchange of human resources, technological information, research trends and commercialisation opportunities of mutual interest.

Technology transfer, co-hosting of investment fairs and seminars and providing industrial technology-related education to work force development in universities of India and South Korea are also envisaged.

Addressing the captains of South Korean industries and businesses, Kalam said in response to a question, "I will examine if the FTA (between India and South Korea) could be considered within the ambit of the CEPA."

The President is on a three-day visit to South Korea, the first by an Indian head of state to the country.