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May 2002 |
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CANADA: TRADE MISSION TO INDIA |
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Canada - India : Mutual Gateways to their Continents
GlobalomNet Media Service
“We would like to offer you Canada as a gateway to North America,” Pettigrew said. “We would like to see India as a gateway to South and Southeast Asia.”
“India's
economy is the fourth largest in the world,” said Canada's International
Trade Minister, Mr. Pierre Pettigrew. “By bringing a Canadian business
delegation to India, we believe that we will create tremendous networking
opportunities and enable both of our countries to benefit from each
other's advantages.”
“India
and South Asia as a whole have a growing middle class with a thirst for
new goods and services,” said Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) David
Kilgour. “With a population of 1.3 billion the region represents a huge
opportunity for Canadian business.” Pierre
Pettigrew led a trade
mission to India from April 22 to 26 to Delhi and Mumbai, to
further explore and develop opportunities for Canadian enterprises in such
sectors as energy and information and environmental technologies. A
group of 160 representatives of Canadian businesses and government
organisations, the largest Canadian economic delegation to India in six
years, participated in the mission to Mumbai and Delhi, India's two major
business centres. India
offers tremendous opportunities for trade and investment in areas of
demonstrated Canadian expertise, especially information technology and
telecommunications, energy, and environmental technologies. A trade
mission of this nature will help Canadian businesses, particularly small
and medium-sized enterprises and new exporters, to showcase their
expertise. “India
has embarked on a path of economic reform and trade and investment
liberalization and is becoming one of the most attractive markets in the
world,” said Minister Pettigrew. “The size and the scope of this trade
mission demonstrate our determination to re-engage with India. We are
convinced that it will help strengthen ties, lay the foundation for future
agreements, and open the doors to more business in the coming years.” Renewing
ties breached after India's nuclear tests, Canada said it is interested in
a long-term business relationship with India, and offered itself to New
Delhi as a gateway to the North American market. “We've
had difficulties — I am so happy that we are re-engaging and are
re-engaged,” International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew told a group
of Indian businessmen. “This is serious and this is for good.” “We
would like to offer you Canada as a gateway to North America,” Pettigrew
said. Pettigrew said Canada can offer to overseas companies safer cities,
a hassle-free business environment and lower corporate taxes than the
United States. “We
would like to see India as a gateway to South and Southeast Asia.” Murasoli
Maran, India's industries and commerce minister, urged Canadian companies
to do business in India. “The message is loud and clear: investing in
India is safe,” Maran said. “Your investments are safe, your patents
are safe, your trade marks are safe and the results of your research are
safe.” In
Mumbai, Minister Pettigrew participated in the opening of the Canada Wood
Showroom. The showroom is jointly funded by wood products' associations
from British Columbia (B.C. Wood Industry Association) and Quebec (Quebec
Wood Export Bureau). A number of Canadian companies are now selling
quality lumber and finished products, such as doors, floors and windows,
in India. “The
Canada Wood Showroom is a superb initiative that will help open a new and
potentially very lucrative market to our exporters,” said Minister
Pettigrew. “Canadian wood products are among the best in the world, and
I am proud to promote them at every opportunity.” The
mission represents an important step in Canada's re-engagement with India
and is the first involving a private sector delegation. The
South
Asia Trade Action Plan, launched prior to Indian visit, is
designed to assist Canadian exporters interested in the South Asian
market, including India. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CANADA-INDIA
BUSINESS TIES Canada,
like several other western countries, announced economic sanctions against
India and froze bilateral relations after India tested nuclear weapons in
May 1998. Within weeks, Pakistan responded with six tests of its own,
provoking a similar reaction. In
March last year, Canada joined the United States, Britain and Germany in
resuming some ties with India. Two-way
trade between India and Canada is valued at $2 billion Cdn a year. India
exports tea, spices, steel, software and garments to Canada. Canadian
exports to India include telecommunications equipment, newsprint,
chemicals and equipment for power, mining and aviation industries. Pettigrew's
originally scheduled October 2001 visit to India was postponed after the
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. Deputy
Prime Minister John Manley visited India in January. Pettigrew said
Canadian ministers for finance, industry and environment are scheduled to
visit over the next year. Canada's
merchandise exports to India increased 20 percent to $547 million in 2000.
Commercial services exports were $114 million in 1999. Canada's
merchandise imports from India have increased steadily throughout the past
decade. In 2000 these imports were $1.2 billion, a 21 percent increase
over 1999. Imports of commercial services were $32 million in 1999. Canadian
companies are active in India in traditional sectors such as power,
communications and transportation. Opportunities are also presenting
themselves in new sectors such as information technology, the environment
and agri-food. The
Indian economy has changed considerably since 1991, when India launched
its program of economic reforms and trade and investment liberalization.
The Indian government has been steadily lowering tariff rates, from a peak
rate of 300 percent in 1991 to a current maximum rate of 40 percent. India
has relatively low inflation (five percent annually), a stable currency
and a current account deficit of less than two percent of its gross
national product. Its banking system is solid and the country has foreign
exchange reserves of about $49 billion. The amount of foreign direct
investment is not large in relation to the size of India's economy. Over
the past decade, India has consistently ranked among the world's top 10
economies based on annual growth. In absolute size, measured in U.S.
dollars, its gross domestic product improved from fourteenth position in
1995 to twelfth in 2000. Backgrounder APRIL
22, 2002 Six
memorandums of understanding were signed by Canadian firms in Mumbai. Cranberry
Construction Services Ltd., Powell River, British Columbia Cranberry
Construction Services Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding with Faiz
and Company to export expertise and building products for construction
projects. First
Canadian Placement Services Inc., Don Mills, Ontario First
Canadian Placement Services Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with
Inter-Connections Consulting (India) Pvt. Ltd. to promote education and
facilitate the placement of potential students between Canada and India.
The agreement is valued at an estimated $500,000 for the first year, all
of which is Canadian content. Maradadi
Pacific Holdings Ltd., Powell River, British Columbia Maradadi
Pacific Holdings Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding with Faiz and
Company to export Canadian wood products to India for construction
purposes. Maradadi Pacific Holdings is representing several Canadian
companies interested in exporting to India. Minaean
Ventures Inc., Surrey, British Columbia Minaean
Ventures Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with the Orchid Group
of Companies to provide steel panel and stud framing systems to build
homes faster and more efficiently. The Orchid Group will use Minaean's
infrastructure and technology to construct housing for the Slum
Rehabilitation Program of the State of Maharashtra. Pacific
Exotic Foods Inc., Delta, British Columbia Pacific
Exotic Foods Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with Tradition Exim
Limited, appointing the company executive distributor and importer of
Pacific Exotic Foods' products in India. Process
Research Ortech Inc., Mississauga, Ontario Process
Research Ortech Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with Mahindra
Acres Consulting Engineers Ltd. to work together on projects associated
with waste water and municipal water treatment. Projects will aim to find
economical ways to treat industrial waste water for recycling and
municipal water to meet drinking water quality and regulatory guidelines. Backgrounder CANADA-DELHI
BUSINESS AGREEMENTS APRIL
25, 2002 International
Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew witnessed the signing of 18 new business
deals by Canadian firms in Delhi. The deals, totalling $25.04 million,
include 13 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) worth $22.24 million and
five contracts worth $2.8 million. Agriculture
Environmental Renewal Canada Inc., Ottawa, Ontario Agricultural
Environment Renewal Canada Inc. (AERC) signed a memorandum of
understanding with Summit Seeds India Limited to introduce AERC's hybrid
seed genetic lines to India. The agreement authorizes Summit Seeds India
Limited to produce and commercialize the hybrid seeds throughout the
country. CH2M
Hill Canada Limited, Toronto, Ontario CH2M
Hill Canada Limited signed a memorandum of understanding with the Punjab
State Council for Science and Technology of Chandigarh, Punjab, to carry
out a feasibility study on the social, environmental and economic impact
of using wetlands for treating municipal wastewater. The project will
involve local communities to ensure the long-term sustainability of
natural treatment systems. The value of the MOU is $220,000. Colpepper's
Ltd., Flesherton, Ontario Colpepper's
Ltd. signed a letter of intent with Sharan Exports Private Ltd. to
manufacture building products. Colpepper's will build the facilities in
India, supply the machinery, related equipment and raw materials, and
provide a training program to Sharan Exports who will manufacture, sell
and distribute the products. The agreement is valued at $20 million over
five years. First
Canadian Placement Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario First
Canadian Placement Services Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with
MAP Educational Services Pvt. Ltd. to recruit students in India for
potential placement in Canadian post-secondary institutions. First
Nat Consulting & Export Corp., Pointe-Claire, Quebec First
Nat Consulting & Export Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding
with Seabair Impex (P) Ltd. to create a strategic alliance to export
processed food from India to North American and Middle East markets. First
Nat Consulting will provide technological support and financing to Seabair. Forensic
Technology WAI Inc., Cote St. Luc, Quebec Forensic
Technology (WAI) Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with Lab
Systems (I) Pvt. Ltd. of Mumbai to provide training and knowledge-based
forensic information systems for the purpose of automating and networking
all law enforcement agencies in 25 state and central forensic science
laboratories in India. Hardrock
Mining Products Ltd., Sudbury, Ontario Hardrock
Mining Products Ltd. signed a letter of intent with Indo Australian
Marketing Consultants of Nagpur for the distribution of its products.
Hardrock manufactures specialty drill steel rods for the underground
mining industry and intends to penetrate the large coal-mining market in
India. HiTech
Network Inc., Toronto, Ontario HiTech
Network Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with HTN Consultants
(India) Pvt. Ltd. for the exclusive representation of HiTech Network's
education and business consulting services in India. Juice
Zone Inc., Toronto, Ontario Juice
Zone Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with Cogent Group to open
Juice Zone franchises throughout India. Cogent Group will also establish
several corporate offices to help organize future expansion. The value of
the agreement is approximately $118,000, all of which is Canadian content.
Karwal
International Group, Toronto, Ontario Karwal
International Group signed a memorandum of understanding with Overseas
Project Consultant (I) Pvt Ltd. to establish schools in India with
Canadian academic curriculum accreditation. The first three schools will
open in New Delhi, Jaipur and Nanital by 2003. The project is valued at
$1.5 million over two years, all of which is Canadian content. MacDonnell
Group, Halifax, Nova Scotia Vaughan
International Limited, which is part of the MacDonnell Group, signed a
contract with the Udaipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry to carry out a
feasibility study to set up an integrated hazardous waste collection,
transportation, treatment and disposal facility. The study will include an
evaluation of hazardous waste types and quantities, treatment technology
options and business case analyses. Maxsys
Engineering Solutions, Ottawa, Ontario Maxsys
Engineering Solutions signed a memorandum of understanding with Intergraph
Consulting of Hyderabad to integrate existing technologies in an effort to
develop new solutions in the field of disaster relief management, such as
the allocation of emergency personnel deployed as first responders in
disaster situations. The new application is to be used as part of the bid
proposal on a World Bank disaster relief project in Gujurat state. McGill
University, Faculty of Education, Montreal, Quebec McGill
University's Faculty of Education signed a letter of intent with the
Mussoorie Public School Trust to establish the Mussoorie Teacher Academy
in Delhi. McGill will provide the curriculum, teaching professionals and
management based on their own education faculty standards, with Mussoorie
providing local expertise and qualified administrative personnel. Metratrade
Limited, Toronto, Ontario Metratrade
Limited signed a contract with Thyssen-Krupp Industries to serve as the
exclusive distributor in North America of machinery designed for the sugar
industry manufactured by Thyssen-Krupp Industries. Pendylum
Inc., Toronto, Ontario Pendylum
Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with KIG India to market
Pendylum's human resources management systems in India. The system enables
companies to administer data collection and customize an organization's
rules and policies. The agreement is valued at $400,000, all of which is
Canadian content. Phoenix
Agri-Silica Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario Phoenix
Agri-Silica Corporation signed a contract with LT Overseas Ltd. for the
production of silica ash in India. Teknion
Furniture Systems, Toronto, Ontario Teknion
Furniture Systems signed a contract with Adobe System India Private
Limited to supply modular office furniture for Adobe's new corporate head
office in Delhi. The first phase of the contract is valued at
approximately $600,000, all of which is Canadian content. The total
contract will involve up to 1,000 workstations. Universities
123.com, Brampton, Ontario Universities 123.com signed a contract with Baba Farid International Institute of Foreign Studies to provide curriculum and faculty to the institution's facility in Chandigarh. The contract is worth $2.2 million, all of which is Canadian content.
(Source:
Canadian
Ministry of International Trade)
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