Eco-tourism to get foreign parternership

PUDUCHERRY: The French government is offering technical collaboration for further developing eco-tourism in Puducherry, said Edouard Courtial, minister for French citizens living abroad, when he called on chief minister N Rangasamy on Wednesday. Edouard said that he appreciated the development of  tourism in Puducherry that had taken place without affecting the environment.  Stating that it was an example to the world, he said the French government was ready to extend technology through decentralised collaboration  through regions, cities to  improve it still further.The Minister also appreciated the importance given to education in Puducherry, which was also reflective in French Lycee Francaise school of Puducherry.The Minister who was here on a two-day visit to Puducherry,told the chief minister that he had come to Puducherry on the directions of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to express solidarity with the people of Puducherry, who had been affected by the cyclone. Mentioning the historic connection and close ties between Puducherry and France, he said that France wanted to develop it further and  this visit was an attempt to build the friendship and cooperation.He appreciated the Puducherry government  for the quick work done  to restore normalcy after the devastating effects of the cyclone. He also praised Chief minister  for the large volume of work done for the  people of Puducherry as well as French citizens affected by cyclone and thanked him for it.Responding to the Minister, Rangasamy assured that his government would continue to provide safety and security to the French citizens living in Puducherry. He also  conveyed to the minister that his government was ready to accept the offer of  technologies for further improving tourism.