New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS): The department of heavy industries and leading German applied research firm Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft signed a pact on Monday to augment 'Make in India' programme, an official statement said.

Fraunhofer will assume the role of 'Technology Resource Partner' for propelling innovation and technology prowess of Indian industry.

The agreement's thrust will be to create a road map for technological development for Indian industry, identifying and plugging technology gaps, implementing identified projects in manufacturing, and working with stakeholders in the government, industry and academia to increase cooperation in applied research.

The pact is a result of the 12th Five Year Plan's mandate of augmenting Indian industrial technologies through collaborations with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft like institutes.

Availability of latest technology to capital goods sector and small and medium enterprises (SME) in industrial clusters will be the major benefits of the agreement, the statement added.

The department of heavy industries plans to conduct technology need surveys and carry out awareness campaigns, technology development and assimilation programmes.

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft conducts research in 66 institutes across Germany employing 24,000 people and with a research budget of two billion euros.