The programme is aimed at strengthening technical and technological links between Europe and Asia. While it will improve the position of the European IT&C sector in Asia, it will also increase the integration of countries in south and south-east Asia into the global economy, officials said. This also includes the promotion of regulatory approaches and IT&C standards which are compatible with European areas.

The programme will focus on the application of European IT&C technology in areas such as agriculture, education, health, transport, society intelligent manufacturing and electronic commerce which are considered priority sectors by Asian countries.

While the projects can be proposed jointly by private companies from India and Europe, they shouldbe in the interest of a large section of industry and not for mutual benefits. These should be non-profit oriented projects.

Though the programme is basically for cooperation in technology, some cases can also qualify for financial assistance. On an average these projects will receive financing upto 50 per cent but the extent of such funding will be decided on a case-to-case basis.

The projects are aimed at creating awareness and generating IT&C solutions through interaction between innovators, users and suppliers. This also includes organising conferences and task forces (up to a few months) for these objectives.

Practical demonstration projects to promote the capability of European industry will get around 25 per cent of financial aid. Programmes to improve the information society interconnectivity between Europe and Asia may get aid of around 50 per cent.

Events which improve and facilitate the contacts and participation of potential Asian partners in existing European IT&C initiatives can be givenfinancial aid of around 80 per cent. The projects to study European & Asian regulatory and legislative organisational structure and improvements realisable through use of IT&C tehnology can get co-financing of around 75 per cent.

Short (university level) courses on key IT&C issues and European approaches may get co-finance at around 50 per cent. The programme will be promoted and implemented by the programme management office (PMO). The office will also be incharge of monitoring tasks on telecom deregulation, standard, IT agreements, barriers to trade and internet connectivity.