Minister of International Trade

Minister Fast Encourages Ontario Companies to “Go Global” in India

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Source: Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

International Trade Minister Ed Fast today hosted a Go Global workshop in Brampton, Ontario, to highlight tools available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to take advantage of new export opportunities in India.

India is a priority market under the Government of Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan. During the workshop’s panel discussions, Minister Fast encouraged companies to leverage the many federal government tools available to support Canadian companies looking to export to India. The Minister also noted that Canada continues to work closely with the government of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create new opportunities for businesses.  

Minister Fast announced that the Invest Canada – Community Initiatives (ICCI) and the Global Opportunities for Associations (GOA) programs are now accepting applications for an additional round of funding. The ICCI program provides support to Canadian communities seeking to improve their capacity to attract, retain and expand foreign direct investment. The GOA program provides funding to national associations in support of new or expanded international business development activities in strategic markets and sectors.

Week of High-level Engagement with India

CIEC Author

Source: CONNECT: Canada in India | November 10, 2014

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird Minister of International Trade Ed Fast and Minister of National Revenue Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights Deepak Obhrai and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice Bob Dechert visited India during a week of high-level visits in October.

Minister Baird and Minister Fast notably met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss international security and the expanding bilateral relationship between Canada and India.

During his visit to New Delhi, from October 13 to 14, Minister Baird and India’s Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj participated in the second annual Canada-India Strategic Dialogue. Minister Baird also participated in several other events to further bolster ties and areas of cooperation between the two countries.

As part of his visit to India, from October 12 to 18, Minister Fast, joined by Minister Findlay, led a trade mission to Mumbai, New Delhi and Chandigarh, accompanied by representatives from 14 Canadian companies. In addition to bilateral meetings with senior leaders and ministers, Minister Fast and Minister Findlay also witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding aimed at bolstering Canada-India trade and investment partnerships.

In the lead-up to their visit, Minister Baird and Minister Fast announced the appointment of Nadir Patel as the High Commissioner-designate for Canada to India.