Canada partnering with the state government in Vibrant Gujarat Summit

NEW DELHI: Canada is partnering with the state government in the 6th global investor summit Vibrant Gujarat and the representatives of its top companies will participate in the three-day long deliberations, which began today.

"Canada will be a partner country at the 6th Global Investor's Summit, Vibrant Gujarat between January 11 to 13, 2013 in Gujarat," Canada said in a statement.

As a partner country, Canada will highlight its growing importance as a commercial partner of choice for India, and promote Canada as an increasingly attractive destination for Indian investors, the statement added.

Canada's business delegation to Vibrant Gujarat includes senior representatives from the energy, oil and gas, education, infrastructure, clean technology, information and communications technologies and financial services sectors.

"The summit will provide a platform for Canadian businesses to engage with their Indian counterparts in an effort to build new, and strengthen existing, partnerships," the statement added.

Participation at Vibrant Gujarat follows the recent trip to India by Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper during which both Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated their commitment to increase trade between Canada and India.

Both the countries have expressed their commitment to increase annual bilateral trade to $ 15 billion by 2015.

"Canada's participation at Vibrant Gujarat 2013 highlights Canada's advantages as a partner for India and the possibilities for strengthening business relationships between our two countries," Canada's High Commissioner to India Stewart Beck said.

He said both the countries are working towards comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), which will boost trade and investment and in create jobs.