Corporation to get support from France

Kochi: François Richier, French Ambassador to India, has promised assistance and support to the Kochi Corporation in implementing urban development projects in various sectors.

City Mayor Tony Chammany held discussions with Richier and a French delegation during the second steering committee meeting of the Indo-French Local Cooperation. Officials of the French financial agency Agence Française de Développement (AFD), which offered a loan for the Kochi Metro Rail project, expressed interest in providing technical and financial assistance for urban transport projects in Kochi.

The AFD delegation, which will be in the city next month for discussions with Kochi Metro Rail Limited authorities, will hold detailed discussions with the civic authorities. Apart from the urban transport sector, Chammany also focussed on issues, challenges and solutions related to climate change, sewage management and heritage conservation, during his presentation at the conference.

The steering committee meeting of the Indo-French Local Cooperation held in New Delhi was attended by mayors of major city corporations in the country and representatives of civic bodies.

Chammany also held discussions with representatives of the French company JCDecaux, which undertook street beautification programmes in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. The company expressed interest in setting up modern street furniture, including in bus shelters, rest rooms and kiosks in Kochi.

France will also extend support to the Kochi Corporation in implementing heritage conservation programmes including the partnership project with Lorient city. As per the request of Chammany, the French ambassador and delegation agreed to visit the city for further discussions.