Monday, September 12 2005 15:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Paris: Seeking France's cooperation in modernization of India's economy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Sept 12, 2005) met top CEOs of French Companies over breakfast here at which discussions focused on enhancing investment in India and France bilateral trade.

Singh is understood to have told the business leaders about the expanding opportunities for trade and investment in India at the meeting which was also attended by French Foreign Trade Minister Christine Lagarde.

Ahead of his interaction with the CEOs, Singh said, "France must help modernize Indian economy".

"French companies can play a role in the domains of energy, electricity, hydrocarbon, infrastructure, agri-business, pharmaceutical business and environment," he said in an interview to a leading French daily Le Figaro published today. Singh expressed interest to develop 'very close ties' with Paris in defence matters.

He noted that the volume of trade exchanged and investment and also transfer of technology 'are well short of their potential.'

"At 1.51 billion Euro, French exports to India represented less than 4.4 per cent of the total imports of the country," he said.

Those attended the meeting included Alcatel Executive Vice President Jacques Dunogue, Alstom Chairman and CEO Patrick Kron, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation Charles Edelstenne, Eads International Chairman Christain Duhain, Chairman and CEO of Thales Dennis Ranque amd Chairman of Renault carmaker Louis Schweitzer.