Monday, January 16 2006 14:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Prime Minister of Ireland Bertie Ahern, accompanied by a major trade mission, arrived here today (Jan 16, 2006) on a six-day trip to India mainly targeted at the information technology industry and education.

At the airport on arrival, he said Ireland has had a long and friendly diplomatic relationship with India and expressed hope to further build political, cultural and business ties.

"Hopefully, over this week, myself and my colleagues and a very large delegation from Ireland will be able to develop these relationships. We very much look forward to the visit," Ahern told reporters.

He is accompanied by the Ministers for Enterprise, Education, and Arts and Sport and Tourism besides business representatives.

Ahern is slated to visit the corporate headquarters here of NASDAQ-listed Infosys Technologies, New York Stock Exchange-listed Wipro and biotech major Biocon, during the three-day stay in India's tech capital.

The visiting Premier said his country had over the last 15 years or so developed a very strong information and communication technologies (ICT) industry, and been a leading global software supplier.

"Now, we can build and develop these relationship with our colleagues (IT) here. It opens up possibilities of joint ventures and new trade relations which we can build over time," he added.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations will sign a 'Charter of Best Practice' in credit risk management, debt recovery and terms of trade with Irish Exporters Association, FIEO officials said.