VANCOUVER, September 13, 2012 — High level officials and business leaders from across Canada met their Indian counterparts at the two-day Canada India Agriculture and Food Processing Forum 2012 to raise opportunities and form collaborations. Forum speakers included Alberta’s Minister of Service, the Hon. Manmeet Singh Bhullar and British Columbia ́s Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Norm Letnick. Also in attendance were Consul General of India, Mr. Ravi Shankar Aisola, and India’s Planning Commission member, Dr. Saumitra Chaudhuri.

“The Harper government is working very hard to strengthen Canada’s economic ties with India […] in 2012, India imported over 13 billion dollars worth agricultural products; Canada provided 568 million dollars worth of those goods, and we can do better. Canada has moved from ninth to seventh position as a supplier of food to India, a progress that must continue,” said Canada India Parliamentary Friendship Group representative Senator Asha Seth.

The Forum showcased opportunities to expand Canadian agricultural influence in the growing Indian market. Collaborations in trade and technology could help to increase bilateral relations and set India on the course to food safety in the twenty- first century.

This is the third year that The Canada India Foundation, a national non-profit organization, coordinates a forum with the aim of recommending policies for implementation by stakeholders in the agriculture sector. CIF hopes to share its ideas with parliamentarians during a meeting with the Canada India Parliamentary Friendship Group in October.