Ontario govt. announces agri-food trade mission to India

Jeff Leal, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Michael Chan, the province’s Minister of International Trade, will be travelling to India this November in an effort to create new economic opportunities for Ontario’s agri-food industry. Goals of the trip include strengthening trade and exploring areas for future co-operation.

“India is the world’s third-largest economy and represents a tremendous opportunity for Ontario’s agri-food sector in a market that is new to many of Ontario’s exporters,” says Leal. “By strengthening trading relationships between governments and businesses, and building on the relationships Ontario agri-food companies and businesses already have established, we can explore ways to attract new investment to the province and help Ontario’s agri-food sector compete globally.”

The mission is expected to build on Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s mission to India in early 2016, and will focus on strengthening agri-food trade relationships with India, which is home to the world’s second-largest population. The trip will take place November 13 to 20, 2016, and will include visits to New Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh. Representatives from Canadian trade organizations, commodity groups, food and beverage processors and the feed sector will join Ontario’s delegation.

“This mission to India will strengthen the Ontario brand internationally in a fast-growing priority market and improve our competitive position in the global economy,” says Chan. “Ontario and India are natural partners in agriculture and food production, and I look forward to finding new opportunities where we can align Ontario technology, goods and services with the needs of the Indian market.”