India-Canada free trade agreement could be finalised by 2013: Canadian diplomat
PTI | Feb 28, 2012
India-Canada free trade agreement could be finalised by 2013: Canadian diplomat
HYDERABAD: The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) or Free Trade Agreement between India and Canada may be finalised by 2013, according to a top Canadian diplomat.
Steward Beck, Canadian High Commissioner to India said, the fifth round of talks towards CEPA will take place in April.
Beck added with the CEPA in place, the bilateral trade is likely to touch USD 20 billion by 2020.
"We just finished the fourth round of talks couple of weeks ago. There is another one coming up in a couple of months. I think we are doing quite optimistic. There is aggressive time-table, so we hope to see it in 2013 and I would say we are on the right track," Beck told reporters.
The High Commissioner was in the city yesterday and met Andhra Pradesh Industries and Commerce minister Geeth Reddy in the State secretariat.
Replying to a query, he said, Canada is looking for an opportunity to partner with India in Energy sector.
"Canada has a lot of natural gas, so we will explore the opportunity," Beck said, when asked about the details of his meeting with Andhra Pradesh minister.
He said a large team from Canada is expected to participate in the upcoming third International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation to be held here from March 14 to 18.
