New Delhi: A joint study panel examining the
feasibility of India`s market opening trade pact with Canada
is likely to come up with its report in May, a Canadian High
Commission official said on Thursday.
The Joint Study Group formed in November 2009 has already
met once and is expected to complete its work in next few
months, Mario Ste-Marie, Senior Trade Commissioner in the High
Commission, said at a CII event here.
Asked by when the Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement (CEPA) between India and Canada can be signed Ste-
Marie said "it depends upon the recommendations of the JSG."
But he said it could take two years or more.
The two nations had signed a memorandum of understanding
here in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The India-Canada bilateral trade stood at USD 4.6 billion
in 2008.
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Secretary
Dinesh Rai said CEPA would not only encourage economic growth
but would also create employment opportunities.
PTI
