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BC Trade Mission to India Aims to Boost Forestry, Tech Amid Global Tensions

British Columbia is sending a five-day trade delegation to India, led by Premier David Eby and Minister Ravi Kahlon, to promote local businesses and seek new markets. The mission aims to create opportunities, particularly for the forestry sector impacted by US tariffs, and to deepen economic ties as India grows. It will advocate for BC's clean energy, mining, and technology firms across several major Indian cities. The province is already India's largest trade partner in Canada, with bilateral trade hitting $2.1 billion in 2024.

Key Points: BC Trade Delegation to India Seeks New Markets, Diversifies Trade

  • Boost forestry sector hit by US tariffs
  • Deepen ties with world's future 3rd largest economy
  • Promote clean energy, mining, and tech firms
  • Diversify trade amid political uncertainty
2 min read

British Columbia announces trade mission to India to boost businesses, seek new markets: Report

British Columbia Premier David Eby leads a trade mission to India to promote local businesses, deepen ties, and seek new markets for forestry and tech.

"create opportunities for Canada's businesses, especially those in forestry sector - Premier David Eby"

New Delhi, Jan 7

British Columbia will send a trade delegation to India for a five-day mission, starting January 12, to promote local businesses and seek new markets, the province's Premier David Eby has said.

The mission will a include BC's Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon, with officials scheduled to meet government and business leaders in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru, reports CBC News.

The Premier said in Vancouver that the trip aims to create opportunities for Canada's businesses, especially those in forestry sector which has been hard hit by US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

The mission aims to deepen ties as India is poised to become the world's third largest economy and to diversify trade amid political uncertainty and international tensions. The mission will also advocate for clean energy, mining and technology firms, said the CBC News report.

BC is India's largest trade partner in Canada, with bilateral trade touching $2.1 billion in 2024, representing about 25 per cent of Canada's exports to India, according to Kahlon.

The minister said BC has 12,000 tech companies and has the fastest growing life sciences sector in the country.

David Eby highlighted that a recent trade mission to Asia resulted in significant projects, including LNG Phase 2 which is expected to reach a final investment decision this year.

India is currently engaged in discussions on fair and balanced trade deals with 14 countries or groups representing nearly 50 nations, including the United States, the European Union, GCC countries, New Zealand, Israel, Eurasia, Canada, South Africa and the Mercosur group.

Initiatives such as the National Manufacturing Mission and the Rs 25,000 crore Export Promotion Mission are supporting India's rise towards becoming the world's third-largest economy.

Premier Eby also welcomed the end of Nicolas Maduro's regime in Venezuela.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in Bengaluru's tech sector, I'm excited to see the delegation coming here. Collaboration in technology and life sciences can be a game-changer. Hopefully, they bring concrete proposals, not just talk.
A
Arjun K
Good move by BC. $2.1 billion trade is significant. But we must ensure any deal is truly balanced and benefits our manufacturing mission. We've seen too many agreements favour the other side in the past. Let's be smart negotiators.
P
Priyanka N
Forestry sector? Interesting. With our focus on sustainability and green infrastructure, there could be good synergy. But the report feels a bit scatteredā€”jumping from forestry to tech to Venezuela. Stay focused on the core mission, please.
M
Michael C
The economic logic is sound. Diversifying trade away from political uncertainty is wise for Canada. For India, engaging with 14 different trade groups shows we are open for business but on our own terms. A pragmatic partnership.
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Kavya N
Chandigarh and Bengaluru are great choices beyond Delhi/Mumbai. Real growth is in these tier-1 cities. Hope the delegation connects with our MSMEs and startups, not just the big corporates. That's where true innovation happens. šŸ¤

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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