India, Canada closely working to finalise CEPA: Brian Parrott

NEW DELHI: India and Canada are closely working to finalise the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), Minister (Commercial) High Commission of Canada Brian Parrott said today.

The negotiations for the free trade agreement, officially dubbed as Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), between the countries were launched in November, 2010.

The proposed pact seeks to open services sector and facilitate investment proposals.

Inaugurating the International Conference on Smart Cities at the PHD Chamber of Commerce here today, Parrott said that Canada can help India in building some of the smart cities with world-class infrastructure.

"318 Canadian companies have their footprints in India and with increased globalisation, Canadian companies' presence in India will multiply in due course of time, especially when India accepts the Canadian expertise and technological development in building for it a number of smart cities," Parrott said.