By IANS,
New Delhi : India has sought Canadian expertise in food processing to reduce wastage of agri-products, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said here Sunday.
“We are among the top producers of vegetables and fruits in the world. But we require Canadian expertise in the food processing sector, both in terms of financial participation as well as technology,” the minister told a visiting delegation from Canada including its trade minister Tony Clement.
“This will add value addition and also save huge amount of products from wastage as only four percent (of agri-products) is processed,” he added.
Kamal Nath also called for greater bilateral trade, and identified sectors like components, pharmaceuticals, automobile, petroleum, power, environment and mining for cooperation.
“India needs $480 billion (Rs.24,000 billion) investment in infrastructure in the next five years. These ties will take India forward to meet its demand,” the minister said.
Incidentally, bilateral trade between India and Canada has risen from $1.4 billion (Rs.70 billion) in 2003-04 to $3.2 billion (Rs.160 billion) in 2007-08.