India's exports to Canada up 32% at $1.69 billion in January-August

NEW DELHI: India's exports to Canada rose by 32 per cent to USD 1.69 billion in the first eight months of the current calender year, according to Statistics Canada.

The country's exports to the North American nation stood at USD 1.28 billion in January-August, 2010, data from Statistics Canada - Canada's national statistical agency -- said.

India exports organic chemicals, knit and woven apparel, precious stones and metals, electronics and machinery to Canada.

According to the data, bilateral trade between India and Canada grew by 21 per cent to USD 3.09 billion in the January-August period of 2011 from USD 2.55 billion in January-August, 2010.

India's inbound shipments from Canada rose by 12 per cent to USD 1.40 billion in January-August, 2011, from USD 1.25 billion in the year-ago period.

India imports vegetables, fertilisers, machinery and wood pulp from Canada.

Both the countries are aiming to increase bilateral trade to USD 15 billion by 2015 from USD 4.2 billion in 2010.

The two countries have identified higher education, agriculture and agri-foods, infrastructure, information and communications technologies, extractive industries, life sciences and enabling services as thrust areas for cooperation.

Sectors like science and technology, innovation, clean technology and renewable energy are some of the other priority areas.