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Optimistic about the long term India growth story and opportunities presented by Andhra Pradesh in crucial sectors of economy, the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), on Friday said both Canada and Andhra Pradesh could work jointly in the areas of mutual synergy.
Speaking at a business meet organised by AP state government and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Naval Bajaj, president of ICCC, said
Canada is ready to partner with the state in the areas of pharma, food and agriculture, higher education, infrastructure and energy, in which Canada has a proven expertise.
“The 1.2 million strong Indian diaspora in Canada could act as a strong bridge to take forward economic relationship between both nations,” said Bajaj, and added, ICCC would launch the Centre of Excellence and Resource Centre in Canada in March. It is expected to function as a common business facilitation and development centre.
India and Canada are eyeing an annual bilateral trade of $15 billion in the next few years, up from the current $5 billion. Both countries are working to remove some of the barriers hindering bilateral trade.
“We’re working on a comprehensive trade agreement aimed at freeing duty regime in areas covering services, export and other broad-based items,” said Joe Daniel, Member of Parliament, Government of Canada.
Highlighting the policy decisions of the AP government in IT and ITeS and the positive business climate, the Canadian MP said: “In Andhra Pradesh, dialogue is usually converted into dollars”.
