PUNE: Even as some parts of the world are building walls, Canada is opening its doors to people, businesses and investments, Navdeep Singh Bains, minister for innovation, science and economic development, said.
Bains was leading the first Canadian business delegation to the city. Nearly 200 delegates from Canada are in India to scout for business and trade opportunities.
The bilateral trade between the two countries is currently pegged at eight billion Canadian dollars which has seen a growth of 30% over the last year.
Bains said, "There is a lot more potential for trade opportunities between India and Canada."
He said their prime minister Justin Trudeau set the tone from Day 1 that Canada cannot operate as an "island and there is a genuine need to engage."
"It is in our interest to do so because this is where the world is going. People are now more connected than ever through the internet. We think it is a great opportunity to demonstrate our openness both at the political and business level," Bains told TOI on the sidelines of a dinner reception at Mahratta Chambers of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture.
He added that one cannot "underestimate," the challenges around globalisation and the government is mindful of that. "We need to be mindful to promote more collaboration but also ensure that globalisation benefits many and not just a few," he added.
Bains said Indian companies investing in Canada can also benefit from the country's free trade agreements with Europe, the US and Mexico. "If an Indian company sets up a business in Canada, they automatically have access to the other markets as well," he said.
The minister said his country has increased immigration (target) to a "record 1 million," over the next three years.
Bains was leading the first Canadian business delegation to the city. Nearly 200 delegates from Canada are in India to scout for business and trade opportunities.
The bilateral trade between the two countries is currently pegged at eight billion Canadian dollars which has seen a growth of 30% over the last year.
Bains said, "There is a lot more potential for trade opportunities between India and Canada."
He said their prime minister Justin Trudeau set the tone from Day 1 that Canada cannot operate as an "island and there is a genuine need to engage."
"It is in our interest to do so because this is where the world is going. People are now more connected than ever through the internet. We think it is a great opportunity to demonstrate our openness both at the political and business level," Bains told TOI on the sidelines of a dinner reception at Mahratta Chambers of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture.
He added that one cannot "underestimate," the challenges around globalisation and the government is mindful of that. "We need to be mindful to promote more collaboration but also ensure that globalisation benefits many and not just a few," he added.
Bains said Indian companies investing in Canada can also benefit from the country's free trade agreements with Europe, the US and Mexico. "If an Indian company sets up a business in Canada, they automatically have access to the other markets as well," he said.
The minister said his country has increased immigration (target) to a "record 1 million," over the next three years.
Get latest news & live updates on the go on your pc with News App. Download The Times of India news app for your device.
