Ministers to Explore Export and Investment Opportunities
September 19, 2016 11:00 A.M.
Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade, will travel to India this fall to create new economic opportunities for Ontario’s agri-food industry while strengthening trade and exploring areas for future co-operation.
The mission will build on Premier Kathleen Wynne’s successful mission to India in early 2016 and will focus on strengthening agri-food trade relationships with India, home to the world’s second-largest population and a rapidly growing economy. Identifying new trade markets and partners will help boost Ontario’s agri-food industry and increase exports.
The mission to India will take place November 13-20, 2016, and will include visits to New Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh. Representatives from Canadian trade organizations, commodity groups, food and beverage processors and the feed sector will join Ontario’s delegation.
Building new relationships to help Ontario’s agri-food businesses compete globally is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
QUOTES
” India is the world’s third-largest economy and represents a tremendous opportunity for Ontario’s agri-food sector in a market that is new to many of Ontario’s exporters. By strengthening trading relationships between governments and businesses, and building on the relationships Ontario agri-food companies and businesses already have established, we can explore ways to attract new investment to the province and help Ontario’s agri-food sector compete globally.”
– Jeff Leal
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
” This mission to India will strengthen the Ontario brand internationally in a fast-growing priority market and improve our competitive position in the global economy. Ontario and India are natural partners in agriculture and food production, and I look forward to finding new opportunities where we can align Ontario technology, goods and services with the needs of the Indian market.”
– Michael Chan
Minister of International Trade
QUICK FACTS
- India is an important trade partner for Ontario. In 2015, the total value of all goods and services traded between Ontario and India was approximately $2.5 billion.
- Ontario is home to the largest Indo-Canadian community in Canada. Almost 700,000 Ontarians have connections to India.
- Ontario trade missions, including Ministers Leal and Chan’s mission to India, support Ontario’s Going Global Trade Strategy.
- Premier Kathleen Wynne led Ontario’s trade mission to India from January 31-February 5, 2016.
- Premier Wynne’s successful trade mission to India resulted in Memoranda of Understandings with five Indian states, all of which included references to agriculture and food processing.
- Ontario has International Trade and Investment Offices in New Delhi and Mumbai.
- The Canada-India Business Council has promoted partnerships and business opportunities between our countries for more than 33 years.
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