Six Canadian MPs for Vibrant Gujarat summit

TORONTO - With Canada joining Japan in becoming a partner country at the next Vibrant Gujarat summit in January, six Canadian MPs and dozens of businessmen will make a pitch for Canadian investment and technology in the fastest growing Indian state.

Held biennially immediately after Pravasi Bharatiya Divas since 2003, the Vibrant Gujarat summit is aimed at attracting foreign investment and knowhow into the state.

During the 2009 summit, 8,662 MoUs worth $243 billion were reportedly signed.

“There will even better response during this Vibrant Gujarat summit because Canada has joined Japan to be a partner country. We expect MoUs by Canadian companies in green energy, water, health, agro-food and other sectors,” Winnipeg-based Gujarati businessman Hemant Shah told IANS.

“With six Canadian MPs going as part of a delegation of 50 to 70 business people, it shows how much importance Canada attaches to the fastest developing state in India. Canada can give technology and knowhow to Gujarat, and get investment from Gujarat,” Toronto businessman Vijay Pandya told IANS.

Pandya said discussions were already way for a number of MoUs to be signed by Canada and Gujarat during the January 12-13 summit in Gandhinagar.

The Canadian participation in the Vibrant Gujarat summit comes within a year of opening its trade office in Ahmedabad.

Apart from having a huge pavilion at the summit, Canada will also hold two seminars - ‘Invest in Canada: Driving innovation in green energy’ and ‘Canada at Vibrant Gujarat: Business partner of choice’ - during the two-day gathering.

“Canada is looking aggressively at Gujarat to widen their business presence in India. The Canadians know it is the fastest growing state in the country, and it lies on the Delhi-Mumbai corridor. I am sure Gujarat will be the new hub for Canada in south Asia,” said Shah.

Gujarat is already home to two major Canadian companies operating in India now. While Bombardier, the supplier of cars to Delhi Metro and turboprop aircraft to SpiceJet, has a facility at Savli near Bardoa, McCain Foods, the world leader in french fries, has a plant near Ahmedabad to supply french fries and potato specialties to the whole of south Asia.

Many middle-level companies from Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba provinces are also exploring the possibilities of entering Gujarat. They are likely to clinch MoUs at the Vibrant Gujarat summit.

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh.s@ians.in)