New jobs to be created by Indian collaboration

Date: 17th February 2010

Small businesses and sole traders working in the UK could be among those to benefit from a recent announcement from the government.

Earlier this week, UK minister of business, innovation and skills Pat McFadden unveiled a multi-million pound project which will see the country collaborate with India in order to develop "cost-effective and efficient solar energy solutions".

The project could help to provide a number of highly-skilled jobs in both countries.

Mr McFadden said: "This major collaboration plays to our strengths, and will maximise our potential to lead the world in high-quality, low-cost solar cell technology.

"As well as helping the UK to meet its 2020 goals, it will complement India's ambitious plans to deploy 20 million solar lighting systems to 10,000 villages and hamlets currently without access to grid electricity. This will spur advances in healthcare, education and productivity through the creation of new jobs."

The projects are to be funded by the Research Councils UK and the Indian Department of Science and Technology, who have each pledged to invest £5 million over the course of the three-year project.