FM to visit Canada, Japan, Gulf region next month

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister P Chidambaram is likely to embark on a foreign tour next month covering Canada, Japan and the Gulf region to woo overseas investors.

He is also likely to visit Washington on April 19 to attend meetings of the the International Monetary fund(IMF) and the World Bank.

Before visiting these countries, he is likely to fly to South Africa to attend a BRICS summit on March 26-27 in Durban, sources said.

After attending the summit, the Finance Minister may head straight to United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Qatar on March 27-28 for road shows that showcase the potential of India to investors.

His Japan (Tokyo) visit is likely to take place between April 1-3.

The Minister will visit Canada to attend a road show and may be back in India on April 22.

Chidambaram will be accompanied by Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram and other ministry officials, sources added.

During his visits, Chidambaram may highlight the market and investment-friendly measures proposed in the Budget 2013-14. The Economic Survey 2012-13 has projected 6.1-6.7 per cent growth rate for India in the next financial year.

He is also likely to emphasise the steps government has taken for containing the fiscal deficit at 5.2 per cent of the GDP in this financial year. In Budget, he has also projected fiscal deficit at 4.8 per cent of GDP next year.