Canada key partner in economic trajectory: P. Harish, Additional Secretary (Economic Diplomacy and States), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

New Delhi: Top representatives of Government, and leaders of the top investment and financial services firms of the Indo-Canadian business corridor unanimously agreed on the importance of the corridor in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on areas such as FDI and FPI from Canada into India, agriculture and food security. “Canada will continue to remain a key partner in our economic trajectory”, said Mr. P. Harish, Additional Secretary (Economic Diplomacy and States), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and a former Ambassador to Vietnam. He made the comments during the fourth Indo-Canadian Business Chamber (ICBC) hosted Webinar ‘India Post COVID-19’.

The Webinar also saw prominent participation from Ms. Anita M. George, Executive Vice-President-Growth Markets, CDPQ, a leading Canadian Pension Fund and a leading global private equity, infrastructure and real estate investor, as well as Mr. Rashesh Shah, Chairman and CEO of financial services major Edelweiss Group and a Past President of FICCI. It was a session well attended by representatives of the Canadian provincial Governments of Saskatchwan and Ontario among the 100+ participants.

Mr. Harish also urged ICBC to specifically foster collaboration between Canadian investors and the Indian business and industry in areas such as IT, Plant Protein and Health. “We want to encourage Canadian investments, including in brown-field areas”, he said.

All felt that the Indian Government had done a proactive and excellent job under the circumstances.