The French government is offering technical collaboration for further developing eco-tourism in Puducherry, said Edouard Courtial, minister for French citizens living abroad, when he called on chief minister N Rangasamy on Wednesday.

Edouard said that he appreciated the development oftourism in Puducherry that had taken place without affecting the environment. 

Stating that it was an example to the world, he said the French government was ready to extend technology through decentralised collaboration through regions, cities toimprove it still further.

The Minister also appreciated the importance given to education in Puducherry, which was also reflective in French Lycee Francaise school of Puducherry.

The Minister who was here on a two-day visit to Puducherry,told the chief minister that he had come to Puducherry on the directions of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to express solidarity with the people of Puducherry, who had been affected by the cyclone.

Mentioning the historic connection and close ties between Puducherry and France, he said that France wanted to develop it further and this visit was an attempt to build the friendship and cooperation. He also conveyed to the minister that his government was ready to accept the offer of technologies for further improving tourism.