Remarks of H.E. Ong Keng Yong

Secretary-General of ASEAN

at the

India-ASEAN Technology Summit and Technology Platform Event

New Delhi, India, 6 November 2006

His Excellency Kapil Sibal, Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences of India

ASEAN Ministers and Ambassadors,

President of the Confederation of Indian Industry

  1.             I am honoured to join you this morning at this important event that will give the government, academe, R&D institutions and industries of the ASEAN Member Countries and India the opportunity to network and establish technology partnerships with one another.  I feel that such gatherings do not happen often enough. 

2.             This 2006 India-ASEAN Technology Summit and Technology Platform event was first proposed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India at the Fourth ASEAN-India Summit on 13 December 2005. The ASEAN Leaders supported this initiative as a means to further strengthen ASEAN-India relations.  

3.             The ASEAN-India dialogue relations have developed successfully the First ASEAN-India Summit was held in 2002. This reflects the confidence both ASEAN and India have in the partnership. We have expanded and intensified cooperation in many sectors. In particular, special attention has been paid to science and technology. There is a reason for this. 

4.             Science, technology and innovation can be powerful determinants and enablers of economic development, educational programmes and protection of the environment. India’s transformation in becoming one of the world’s fastest growing economies is an oft-cited example.  

5.             To remain globally competitive, ASEAN Member Countries have to move up the technology ladder and focus on enhancing their capability for technological innovation, particularly in the areas of biotechnology, ICT and microelectronics, among others.  

6.             The ASEAN leadership has encouraged the S&T community in ASEAN to be more innovative and entrepreneurial. For instance, strategic partnerships between public research organizations and industry could be established to facilitate technology development, joint R&D undertakings and technology transfer. We in ASEAN recognize that engaging the business community is crucial in determining the competitiveness and the marketability of technologies and technology products. The development and marketing of new and affordable drugs is just one of many examples of why the private sector collaboration is important. 

7.             Given the geographic proximity and a shared interest in harnessing science, technology and innovation towards economic development, it would be a pity if technological and commercial partnerships between ASEAN and India only remain at a low level. Strengthening the ASEAN-India partnership in S&T could facilitate knowledge creation and innovation which in turn could be made into useful and commercially-viable technologies that can lift the quality of life of the citizens of ASEAN and India. We are talking about improving the lives of one quarter of the world’s population. 

8.             We should look for opportunities for ASEAN Member Countries and India to leverage on one another’s strengths, and consider partnerships rather than viewing one another solely as competitors.  And with ASEAN and India working to establish an ASEAN-India Free Trade Area, there will be potentially even more room for the business and scientific communities in ASEAN and India to transact with each other. 

9.             It is precisely an event like this one which can provide an avenue for interaction between the scientific and business communities. I would urge all participants to take advantage of this opportunity to actively share ideas and network, and discuss business opportunities arising from technological undertakings. It is unfortunate that such events are rarely organized. But this is a positive step and deserves to be promoted and supported. 

10.        In addition, I would also like to suggest the following ideas to strengthen the ASEAN-India S&T partnership:

·               Organise regular high-level consultations between industry associations and S&T officials. The regular meetings of the ASEAN-India Working Group on S&T (AIWGST) and ASEAN Committee on S&T (COST) could be used as event platforms.

·               Tap the expertise of the private sector in the formation of technology-based businesses and R&D.

·               Encourage the Indian business and scientific communities to participate in regular ASEAN events such as the ASEAN S&T Week (ASTW) which is held once every three years. The next ASEAN S&T Week will be in 2008 in the Philippines.

·               Encourage the ASEAN and Indian public and private sectors to explore the possibility of joint undertakings in the field of biological prospecting (bioprospecting) to explore diverse species in India and ASEAN for commercially valuable biological and genetic resources. As we know, bioprospecting activites could lead to the development and discovery of pharmaceutical products, as well as materials for producing better crops, biopesticides, among other products.

·               Expand, through the use of internet, the promotion of innovative technology, products, expertise and services such as Technoscan, as well as feasibility and assessment studies. There are already existing websites managed by ASEAN such as the ASEAN Science and Technology Network (ASTNET) and the Investment and Technology Transfer Information Network (ITTIN), as well as those managed by India such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) website. 

11.        I am confident that this gathering can lead to the development of even more new ideas, not to mention fruitful partnerships, both in R&D and business, between ASEAN and India. 

12.        It leaves me to wish you all a successful Technology Summit.

 Thank you.