New Kerala | 11 June 2006

Canada hopes to conclude free trade agreement with India

Toronto: Canada hopes to sign an investment promotion and protection agreement with India later this year that would encourage free trade between the two countries, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said.

The proposed agreement would contribute to greater investment and trade and expand economic cooperation between the two countries, and also open up new business opportunities for Canadians, the Prime Minister said yesterday.

"Our government hopes to conclude foreign investment promotion and protection agreement with India later this year that would encourage free trade between the two countries and open up new business opportunities to Canadians," Harper said.

Harper honoured 11 members of Indo-Canadian community for their outstanding contributions in various fields at a function organised by the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) to commemorate its 29th anniversary.

The Prime Minister said that the government has decided to create a new foreign credential agency to help ensure the overseas credentials of immigrants were recognised by Canadian employers and professional bodies.

The agency would ensure that skills, training and credentials of new immigrants were recognized, and respected by employers and licensing authorities. It "will help new immigrants navigate the bureaucratic labyrinth of credentials," Harper said.

Many foreign-trained doctors, accountants and other professionals are forced to take low-paying jobs because their credentials are not recognised by Canadian employers and it takes years for certification.