Piyush Goyal Concludes Canada Visit Focused On Trade, Investment And CEPA

New Delhi, May 28 (KNN) Commerce Minister  Piyush Goyal concluded a three-day visit to Canada on May 28 with a series of engagements across academia, government, business councils, institutional investors and the Indian diaspora aimed at strengthening India-Canada economic relations.
 
The visit focused on expanding bilateral trade, investment and technology collaboration while advancing negotiations for the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
 
During the three-day official visit, the minister addressed the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, highlighting India’s economic transformation, reform agenda and growing global role. 
 
He emphasised stronger collaboration among academia, policymakers and industry to deepen India-Canada trade, investment and people-to-people ties.
 
Focus On Technology, Innovation And Strategic Investments
 
At the Ontario Centre of Innovation, Goyal reviewed startup and innovation initiatives and held discussions with Canada-India Tech Connect on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing. 
 
He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in AI, clean technology, agritech and deep tech, while also engaging with regional business chambers on expanding trade and investment flows and the opportunities arising from ongoing CEPA negotiations.
 
In a high-level engagement, Goyal met Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford to discuss cooperation in manufacturing, infrastructure, clean energy, food processing, technology and critical minerals.
 
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade and investment partnerships between India and Ontario.
 
Business Delegation Engagements To Deepen Economic Cooperation
 
The commerce minister met various stakeholders to discuss strengthening India-Canada commercial cooperation in sectors such as technology, infrastructure, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, while also reviewing the role of the India-Canada CEO Forum in enhancing business engagement.
 
He also held discussions on investment opportunities across infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, financial services, logistics and digital infrastructure, and welcomed the continued confidence of Canadian institutional investors in India’s economic growth prospects.
 
Goyal additionally interacted with members of the Indian business delegation accompanying him and encouraged them to explore partnerships in sectors including aerospace, clean energy, infrastructure, food processing, critical minerals and technology.
 
India, Canada Target USD 50 Billion Bilateral Trade By 2030
 
The visit concluded with an interaction with members of the Canada-India Foundation, where Goyal acknowledged the contribution of the Indo-Canadian community in strengthening bilateral economic and cultural ties.
 
The minister led the largest-ever Indian business delegation to Canada, comprising representatives from over 100 Indian companies.
 
The three-day visit covered Ottawa and Toronto and focused on reviving India-Canada economic engagement and accelerating CEPA negotiations.
 
According to the government, bilateral trade between the two countries currently stands at around USD 8.5 billion, with both nations targeting an increase to USD 50 billion by 2030.
 
(KNN Bureau)