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H.E. Ms Lucie Edwards
High Commissioner
of Canada to India
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With the economy growing consistently at 6 percent and above, India is emerging as one of the top growth stories of the world, and Canada, with its diverse and innovative economy, is very well placed to be a partner in this development.
Canada continues to expand and strengthen its relations with India. The past year was particularly remarkable with the Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and a stream of ministers and senior government officials visiting India to boost engagement between our two countries. With Prime Minister Paul Martin now at the helm, India remains very much a priority country for public and private sector leaders.
A growing Canadian presence in India is a tribute to this strong relationship. In the month of May this year, we opened a trade office in Chennai and the Consulate General in Chandigarh became operational. Air Canada now offers a daily non-stop flight between New Delhi and Toronto. Education remains a rich area of bilateral cooperation. And Canadian products and services, from lentils to blackberries to life insurance, are becoming an integral part of the daily lives of millions of Indians. All these developments are reinforcing the continued expansion of economic relations between Canada and India.
Canada enjoys very special links with India through the substantial Indian communities that have come to make Canada their home. These Canadians of Indian origin form a significant part of the Canadian mosaic, increasingly contributing to Canadian economic, political and cultural vitality.
A reforming and growing Indian economy presents huge opportunities. India is seeking US$150 billion in infrastructure investment alone. Having demonstrated its resourcefulness through partnerships in a number of areas, including infrastructure development such as power, telecom and railways, ports, oil and gas, environmental management, etc, Canada has goods, services and expertise to fill the requirements of the expanding Indian economy.
I very much welcome the EDC publication which I am sure will serve as a useful tool for those seeking to translate business opportunities into successful realities.
Lucie Edwards
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