The Hindu : India, Canada to ease visa procedure

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 11, 2003

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National

India, Canada to ease visa procedure

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI Feb. 10. India and Canada have decided to facilitate the issuing of visas in a constructive mechanism. This was indicated at a meeting between the Commerce and Industry Minister, Arun Jaitley, and the visiting Canadian Deputy International Trade Minister, Len Edwards.

Mr. Jaitley emphasised the need to develop a mechanism of granting visa to genuine businessmen either on the recommendations of the Ministry or apex business chambers which could be considered by the Canadian High Commission.

"We should do everything possible to facilitate this issue,'' Mr. Richards said. Both the Ministers underlined the importance of increasing the volume of bilateral trade from the present level. Indian exports to Canada have registered a growth of about 14.5 per cent during April-November 2002-3 at $572.58 million compared to $499.72 million in the previous year.

An official release said that during the meeting, Mr. Jaitley raised the issue of safeguard enquiry into the import of certain steel goods by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT).

He said India should be excluded from any safeguard action as a developing country as per the provisions of the WTO agreement under Section 201.

The Canadian side said it was aware of India's concern and agreed to consider this issue.

Mr. Jaitley underlined the importance of public health as a major concern for developing countries while Mr. Edwards said that Canada shared these concerns.

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