`Immense scope for cooperation between India and Canada'

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, OCT. 30. After the US and Germany, which have been competing to invite Indian IT professionals to work in their countries, Canada too seems to have joined the race. While only a little more than 300 IT professionals have been given visas in the last one year, a major push to attract them is under way.

IT workers applying for temporary visa or permanent residence were eligible for "express treatment" and work permits for spouses were also being given. Ms. Soyoung Park, Second Secretary, Immigration, Canadian High Commission, said that less than 10 per cent of visa applicants in this category were refused in the last year and a special IT unit has been set up in the High Commission to expedite the process.

Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Benoit Prefontaine, Senior Counsellor (Commercial), Canadian High Commission, said that there was immense scope for mutual co-operation between Indian companies, especially those based in Andhra Pradesh, and Canada, particularly in the Software, IT and Biotechnology industries.

He said, "We have underachieved in trade with India and India too has underachieved with Canada. As things stand today, doubling or even tripling of trade between the two countries is easily conceivable".

Mr. Prefontaine added that the Canadian Government had set a target to double trade with India by 2003, from its present level of $ 1.7 billion in 2000. He said that by August this year, last year's figures of bilateral trade had already been surpassed.

Speaking to a gathering of businessmen and entrepreneurs called by the Indo-Canadian Business Council earlier in the day, Mr. Prefontaine said that Canada should be the preferred destination for Indian companies wanting a presence in the North American market. Firms located in Canada had a cost advantage of 14.5 percent over similar firms located in the US, according to a study by KPMG, but they had the freedom to access the US market without any hindrance due to NAFTA and other trade agreements.

Mr. Victor Ispahani of the ICBC, said 18 software and IT companies from Hyderabad, out of a total of 24 from India, would be attending `SoftWorld', Canada's major software conference from November 4 to 7.

Those interested in exploring or strengthening business links with Canada should contact Ms. Madhu Toshniwal, Trade Advisor, Canadian High Commission, New Delhi or email madhu.toshniwal@dfait.maeci.gc.ca

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Dial your CM: TDP offers to provide phone numbers
Next     : Two-year project to check pollution