Indian delegation in Canada to explore N-biz opportunities

Bal Krishna

Toronto, Feb 18 (PTI) A high-powered Indian businessdelegation led by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited(NPCIL) Associate Director F Vohra arrived here today toaccelerate bilateral investment and the transfer of technologyin the field of nuclear energy between the two countries.

The delegation was welcomed by the Organisation of CANDUIndustries (OCI), which represents more than 160 Canadiancompanies supplying goods and services in the field of nuclearenergy.

The member companies of the OCI are looking forward toexploring the potential for new business relationships in theexpanding nuclear industry with the Indian delegates.

The delegation is visiting Canada as part of a continuingseries of meetings related to a Bilateral Nuclear CooperationAgreement signed between Canada and India in June, 2010.

The Canadian and Indian governments are both completingthe respective domestic legal processes required to effect theratification and entry into force of the agreement.

"Member companies of the OCI have an impeccablereputation for excellence and we are very much looking forwardto discussing potential business opportunities with thevisiting Indian delegates," OCI General Manager DavidMarinacci said.

"India has constructed 17 PHWRs on its own and has anambitious nuclear expansion plan. India is looking foradditional partners to its ongoing indigenous civil nuclearprogramme to accelerate the growth of nuclear power in Indiain collaboration with interested nuclear vendors," he said.

"Canada''s nuclear supply chain industries are fullymobilised and capable of delivering to the most exactinginternational standards," he added.

The Canadian nuclear industry is a USD 6.6 billion a yearindustry, generating more than USD 1.5 billion in federal andprovincial revenues through taxes and more than 70,000 direct,indirect and spin-off jobs.

The Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) recentlyreported that Canada''s exports of nuclear-related materialsand services totalled approximately USD 1.2 billion in 2008.

India has commenced construction of four pressurisedHeavy Water Reactors of 700-MW each, with another six units inthe planning stage.

In addition, one fast Breeder Reactor (500 MW) is underconstruction and several more are planned.

Many Light Water Reactors of above 1000-MW capacity arealso planned with international cooperation and pre-projectactivities have commenced on several of these.

These will create business opportunities worth billionsof dollars.