Vijayawada  : 

As Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to build a world class capital city, many infrastructure companies from Canada, who have expertise in the field, are keen to participate in upcoming projects in the state, especially in the capital region, Vijayawada

Describing trade relations between India and Canada, Canadian consul general Sydney Frank shares his vision in expanding trade ties between India and Canada, in an exclusive interview with Sai Durga Gona.

Q. How was the bilateral trade between India and Canada?

At present the trade between India and Canada is 5.8 billion dollars and the aim is to increase it to 15 billion dollars by 2015. We will soon implement the signed agreement ‘CEPA’ (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) and talks are going on for another trade agreement ‘FIPA’ (Foreign investment promotion and protection agreement).  Engineering products were 43 per cent of the current Indian exports to Canada. Canada has eight trade and investment centres in India.

Q. What are the new trade plans in the Andhra Pradesh?

Well, yesterday I met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and discussed the plans. We are very much looking forward to link up with the companies in AP and to promote Canada. The Canadian pensions fund is already spending `1.5 billion especially to develop the infrastructure in India. Already many leading Canadian firms have expressed their willingness to offer their expertise in infrastructure, metro rail, logistics, engineering, real estate and other sectors and building smart towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Vijayawada as the state already chalking out plans to build a world class capital in this region.

Q. What kind of support we can expect from Canada for Indian students?

The education sector had witnessed a four-fold increase in number of Indians studying in Canada during the last six years. We are planning to make tie-ups with the educational institutions in India, especially in AP, by providing opportunities for the students to study half of their higher studies in Canada like what we are implementing in Hyderabad and nealy 400 Canadian institutions are setting up facilities for students in India.

Q. Have you made any plans for young entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh?

Well, we recently started a programme ‘Start-up Visa’ for the budding entrepreneurs throughout India. Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program is the first of its kind in the world. With the Start-Up Visa, Canada is targeting a new type of immigrant entrepreneur who has the potential to build innovative companies that can compete on a global scale and create jobs. What one should do is to get the idea accepted by any of the designated Canadian organisation in India.

Q. So, have you made deals with any of the companies in AP?

Not exactly, we already discussed with the Air Costa and also trying to collaborate with a few more companies in AP. Even they are showing interest to link up with Canadian companies, as it was proved that Canada is the best country to invest or to do business with in the top seven countries in the world. Many of the companies in India already linked up with Canadian companies, as we are best in refrigeration and preservation of food. Even our company ‘MCCAIN’ is well popular in India for frozen food.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / December 11th, 2014