Patil for JVs in IT,agri,education to boost India-Canada ties

Chandigarh, Jan 18 (PTI) Stressing on strong bilateraltrade and socio-cultural bond shared by India and Canada,Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil today called for augmenting thebilateral economic and trade ties through partnerships inareas including IT, agriculture and education.

In a meeting with Stewart Beck, High Commissioner fromCanada, Patil said that there was major scope to expandeconomic and business cooperation in wide-range of fields likeInformation Technology, marketing agriculture produce, sharingof educational tools and technologies.

He stressed that Punjab has achieved a major breakthroughin the agriculture sector and allied fields, and that thestate is emerging as a progressive and vibrant investmentdestination, said an official spokesman.

Patil said Punjab''s land is fertile and water from fiverivers is available for irrigation and that bold initiativesare being taken to generate more power, with focus on tappingsolar energy to meet growing demand in different sector ofeconomy.

He suggested for strengthening partnerships in agri-related ventures especially food processing that has amajor scope for collaboration.