France to invest 20 billion euros to boost innovaton: Sarkozy
PARIS. June 27. KAZINFORM French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday announced details of a 20-billion-euro (28.4 billion U.S. dollars) investment plan to boost science and technology and higher education in the country. Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
Sarkozy said 20 billion euros, a big tranche of the 35-billion-euro (49.8-billion-US dollars) "grand loan" that France unveiled at the end of 2009, will be invested in nearly 1,500 specific projects through the end of this year.
"Never has there been such an emulation in France," Sarkozy said.
The plan also includes 1 billion euros (1.42 billion euros) used for research in the next-generation nuclear power, the president said, adding that an anti-cancer institute combining hospital and university faculties should also be considered.
"The only way not to submit to globalization is to work on innovation, research and investment ... We want our industry at the forefront of innovation," Sarkozy said, stressing France's need to restore its competitiveness.
The 35-billion-euro investment plan announced in 2009 was targeting at training, research, industry and small businesses, with the biggest portion -- 11 billion euros -- going to universities. Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com