The Globe and Mail reports that natural resources minister Joe Oliver has been in Delhi and Mumbai meeting with government officials and investors to promote billions of dollars in energy – potash, uranium, oil and gas – exports to India, as well as Canadian expertise in infrastructure for hydroelectric transmission. The report notes, “Canada and India recently concluded a fifth round of negotiations toward a free-trade pact, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to bring another business delegation here before the end of the year.”
At the World Economic Forum in January, Harper pledged, “We will work to complete negotiations on a free-trade agreement with India in 2013.” The fifth round of negotiations toward a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement took place this summer, July 24-26, in New Delhi.
Globe and Mail articles have also noted, “A number of Indian companies are in ‘discussions’ to acquire or invest in Alberta’s energy companies. Private and state-owned companies are exploring potential purchases of the Alberta oil-sands properties owned by ConocoPhillips Co. …The energy industry is (also) escalating efforts to send oil tankers to India and China by way of the east coast. It is shorter to reach India’s west coast refining hub via Canada’s east coast than it is to ship oil off the west coast, Laurie Smith, partner at Bennett Jones LLP, said in an interview.”
Today’s report is at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/oliver-seeks-to-sell-india-on-canadian-energy/article4610852/.
