By IANS,
Mumbai : Canada will host a six-day conclave from June 14 to discuss possible bilateral trade agreements with India in sectors ranging from education to shipping.
Organised by the Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC), the ‘India Calling International Conference’ will be held in Toronto and Vancouver.
“We are taking over 150 delegates, including a few big industrialists looking at certain sectors in Canada,” IMC chairman M.N. Chaini told IANS.
The Canadian delegation will represent over 250 business houses including firms owned by overseas Indians. “It is being considered as one of the biggest Indian trade conclaves to be held in recent years,” Chaini said.
The level of trade and investment between the two countries is “very small”, he added, and said there was “unlimited scope to increase this”.
IMC vice-president Gul Kripalani added: “Several Indian industrial houses have shown interest in investing in Canada and before they do that, they want to do the groundwork.”
Canada being part of the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) helps overseas investors.
IMC is focusing on sectors such as alternative energy, education and life sciences.
IMC wants to do more than hold conferences, Chaini said. “In fact, we are planning to explore the ground reality. For example, it is said Canadians have developed a very high level of alternative power systems. We want to look at this and then pitch for technology transfer.”
The chamber has held four such overseas conferences in Singapore, Dubai, London and Johannesburg in the past.