NEW YORK – Canada’s International Trade Minister Ed Fast held his first face-to-face meeting with Anand Sharma, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, in New York City last week.
Both ministers conveyed their shared commitment to continuing to broaden and deepen our economic and social ties, and agreed the next round of negotiations aimed at producing a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Canada and India should take place in October in Canada.
A recent joint study estimated that a free trade agreement between the two countries has the potential to boost Canada’s economy by $6 to $15 billion, creating jobs and prosperity for Canadian workers and for businesses of all sizes in every corner of the country.
At the conclusion of their meeting, Minister Fast, on behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, personally invited Minister Sharma to visit Canada again at his earliest convenience to personally continue their productive dialogue and progress. Minister Fast also committed to personally visiting India for the same purpose in the near future.
