Cooperate with India

2. India’s Science, Technology and Innovation systemCluster development: an EU-India strategyExpertise for Cluster DevelopmentEU nations have a long-standing experience and expertise in developing industry clusters as well as runningsuccessful academy-industry interactions for commercial purposes. Some of the EU initiatives that couldbe localized and replicated in India include:Cluster-IP: The Cluster Innovation PlatformThe Cluster-IP brings together cluster organizations from different countries willing to cooperate inworking on the modernization of cluster support services in the EU. This includes the design and testingof new support tools, but also the experimentation with new forms of cluster cooperation. The Cluster-IPcontributes to better support for innovative SMEs to internationalize and to access excellence availableelsewhere. The specific needs of cluster firms as well as the potential role of clusters in addressing societalchallenges and in fostering user-driven innovation need to be taken into account.European Cluster AllianceAn open platform established to maintain a permanent policy dialogue at EU level among national andregional public authorities responsible for developing cluster policies and managing or funding clusterprogrammes in their countries or regions.This initiative responds to the needs and interests of many EUMember States and regions to share experiences in the field of cluster policies and initiatives. It will enablethem to pool resources and address the problems they face, avoiding duplication of efforts and reducingfragmentation of cluster initiatives in Europe.European Cluster ObservatoryThe European Cluster Observatory develops a flexible and user-friendly web platform for clusterorganizations, firms and other users in Europe. Data about regions is collected through surveys and othersources. Activities include, among other things, web development, surveys, conferences, and reports.Funding supportA funding support could be represented by the incentives offered by the Indian Government.With the liberalization of trade and investment policies the government of India is offering variousincentives for foreign corporations to invest in India. Although there aren’t any specific incentives forInnovation activities the existing schemes can accommodate the investment for establishing R&D centres.These financial incentives include:ӰӰ100 per cent foreign direct investments (FDI) under the automatic route for R&D Services.ӰӰWeighted deduction on expenditure incurred on in-house R&D is 200%Ӱ Ӱ Weighted deduction on payments made to national laboratories, research associations, colleges,universities and other institutions, for scientific research is 175%.45