India getting $42M from U.N. group for cleantech

The Indian government said it signed a technical cooperation program with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization to promote cleantech in the country.

Under the agreement, the U.N. group will provide $42 million in funding over five years to support sustainable production and other environmentally friendly programs.

India said the key areas to be addressed in the new agreement include the introduction of energy efficiency and conservation in industry; water conservation practices; standardization and total quality management; and investment promotion.

The government said small and medium enterprises would be targeted to boost employment, and it plans to spend $2 million to map the major small and medium enterprise clusters in the country.

The funding is expected to cover 30 projects over the next five years, in sectors like leather, textile, auto components, machine tools, chemicals and food processing.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization, or Unido, was formed in 1966 to promote the creation of wealth and alleviate poverty through manufacturing.

The organization focuses on poverty reduction through productive activities, trade capacity-building, and energy and environment.

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