September 18, 2005
No. A/88
International Trade Minister Jim Peterson will attend the 11th Technology Summit and
Technology Platform 2005 in New Delhi, India, from September 21 to 22. He will lead a
delegation of over 100 highly qualified Canadians from science and technology
companies and academic and government institutions, and will be joined by the
National Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, Arthur Carty.
The Technology Summit and Technology Platform in India is an annual flagship event
with high-level Indian representation, including the Indian Minister of Science and
Technology (S&T). Canada has been invited to be the partner country at this year’s
summit, providing a unique opportunity to profile the best of its S&T talent, capabilities
and technologies. This event also enables Canada to demonstrate its serious
commitment to promoting the Canada-India S&T relationship.
On September 21, 2005, Minister Peterson will deliver a special address during the
inaugural session of the Summit. He will then meet representatives of Canadian
companies at the inauguration of an exhibition at the Canadian pavilion, and later
attend a number of bilateral meetings with, among others, the Indian ministers of S&T,
agriculture and commerce.
India is Canada’s largest trading partner in South Asia. The active promotion of trade
and investment by both countries resulted in bilateral trade in merchandise valued at a
record $2.43 billion in 2004. In the first six months of this year, bilateral trade has
reached more than $1.31 billion. This represents more than 20 percent growth over the
previous year.
Minister Peterson’s participation is in line with Canada’s recently announced
International Science and Technology Partnerships Program, which will promote
collaborative research and development between Canadian and foreign scientists and
technologists in areas such as biotechnology, the environment, energy, and information
and communications technologies.
The five-year program is aimed at building S&T relationships with selected countries,
including India.
For more information on the Technology Summit and Technology Platform, visit
http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/science/india_techsummit_partprof-en.htm.
For more information, please contact:
Jacqueline LaRocque
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
