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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt">October 23, 2006</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"> <i>(12:40 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 122</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">MINISTER EMERSON HOSTS CANADA-INDIA BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of International Trade, today hosted a
Canada-India Business Roundtable that explored ways of strengthening commerce
between the two countries. India is rapidly becoming a world economic power and is a
priority market for Canada.</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“Although Canada-India bilateral trade has reached record levels, there is still
significant room for growth in our commercial relations,” said Minister Emerson. “New
bilateral agreements on science and technology and air travel are laying the foundation
required to bring trade ties to a new level.”</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">The Minister noted that Canada is in the process of negotiating a foreign investment
promotion and protection agreement with India that should further stimulate Canadian
participation in India’s rapid development.</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">He also thanked the Canada-India Business Council and the Indo-Canada Chamber of
Commerce for continuing to foster closer economic ties between both countries in many
ways, including assisting in the organization of the roundtable. Deepak Obhrai,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, also participated in the roundtable.</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Canada-India bilateral trade reached $2.9 billion in 2005. Canada exported $1.08 billion
in goods to India, much of which was concentrated in paper products, vegetable
products, machinery and chemicals. </span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">- 30 -</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Jennifer Chiu<br>
Press Secretary<br>
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and
the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics<br>
613-992-7332</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Trade Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-996-2000<br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221141858/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline"></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #0000ff">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></p>
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