The aim of the forum is to encourage innovation and development in Shanghai's industry and economy.

"Shanghai has been a friendly city to the Rhone-Alpes region for 17 years. Together we have achieved many results in science, culture and economy. Today we are discussing further cooperation in biology, pharmaceutics, IT and other scientific fields," said Fu Guoqing, deputy director of the Shanghai International Cooperation Department of Science and Technology Commissiony.

According to Fu, the commission and the municipality of the French region have set up a fund worth 2.4 million yuan (US$290,000).

During the four-day forum, experts and scholars from both sides are expected to evaluate the plans of cooperation projects between Shanghai enterprises and their counterparts in France.

Members of the forum will also carry out in-depth economic research concerning "technology and innovation."

There are four subjects under the topic - small and medium-sized companies and technology transfer; development of regional economies; communications and economy; and employment and economic growth.

"Economic globalization is calling for more technological innovation and the speed of innovation decides the overall competitive edge of a country," said Fu.

Fu added that Shanghai's GDP per capita has exceeded US$4,000 and the next stage of the city's economic growth would depend heavily on innovation.

"Communicating with experts from the Rhone-Alpes will inspire more innovations and help the city make better strategies in developing the economy. The region has a great impact on France's industry and economy, whose position is very similar to Shanghai's," said Yu Yingchuan, vice-director of the Shanghai Institute of Business & Management.

Officials from both sides said over the next two years they would cooperate in more areas, such as microbiology, new materials and optics.

(China Daily 05/29/2001)