Boost trade

New Delhi, Dec 04 (UNI) With bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement under negotiation between India and Canada, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath has called for boosting bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries.

Welcoming Canada's British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell here last evening, along with trade delegation and senior representatives from educational institutes and life science companies, he said such relations could be nurtured especially in the field of environment technology in which British Columbia is a world leader. The Canadian province has about 1,300 companies working in environmental technologies, generating revenues of 1.9 billion dollars and employing about 18,000 people. British Columbia has 15 research centres of excellence besides clean technology research institutes.

Mr Gordon Campbell said their visit was aimed at developing trade and investment relationships and for sharing expertise in urban infrastructure projects. He said their province has innovative and skilled workforce, rich natural resources and is an excellent gateway location between North America and Asia to provide the foundation for almost unlimited economic opportunities.

Mr Nath also emphasised India's strength is in the field of talent and enterprise, scientific manpower and skilled workforce during his interaction with Mr Gordon.

A million square kilometre British Columbia is larger than France and Germany combined.

Bilateral trade in goods between India and Canada was two billion dollars in 2006-07, an official statement said.

UNI