Gujarat CM meets Saskatchewan Premier to strengthen bilateral links

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr Narendra Modi, today met a high-level delegation comprising senior government representatives from the Province of Saskatchewan and Canadian High Commission officials. Led by the Hon’ble Premier of Saskatchewan, Mr Brad Wall, the delegation is seeking to strengthen trade, investment and innovation links between the western Canadian province and the state of Gujarat. The seniority of the delegation from Saskatchewan is further evidence that Canada is a dedicated business partner to Gujarat and follows on from the recently-concluded Vibrant Gujarat 2011 Summit where Canada was the Partner Country.

In total, 4 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed between the two regions in different areas. Two MoUs were signed between the State of Gujarat and Province of Saskatchewan seeks to develop and reinforce future economic and technological cooperation in the fields of natural resources and trade development in the coming years. Another MoU was signed between the Saskatchewan Province and Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation for the exchange of scientific, technical and regulatory information in the fields of energy and value-added industries related to mineral resources. A further one MoU were signed between the Province and Gujarat-based academic institution Charutar Vidya Mandal.

Addressing the delegation, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr Narendra Modi said, “The visit of Saskatchewan delegation will further strengthen the relations between the Saskatchewan and Gujarat. During the Vibrant Gujarat 2011 Summit, Memorandum of Understandings were signed in the areas of fertilizers and human & industrial waste. This delegation visit to Gujarat will further boost the relations to new heights. There are many sectors like oil and gas which have immense potential to grow between the two regions.” As a possible suggestion to strengthen the relations, the Hon’ble Chief Minister suggested working out modalities for diamond processing in Gujarat as Saskatchewan has huge diamond mines.

Premier Wall engaged in a series of high-level government meetings, as well as meetings with existing and potential investment partners from various sectors and industries, building on the importance of Saskatchewan to Gujarat’s economic growth and prosperity. “This mission is key to securing and encouraging the growth of both Gujarat and Saskatchewan. Gujarat is a growing superpower, and frankly we have what it needs — food, energy, minerals, and expertise,” Premier Wall said. “This is a golden opportunity for us to strengthen our close relationship with respect to agriculture, strategic investment, and research and innovation partnership.”

Exports to India from Saskatchewan increased 679.8% between 2000 and 2009, with exports in 2009 consisting primarily of potash, peas and lentils. Saskatchewan, the world’s largest producer of potash, sold more potash to India than any country apart from the United States, and India is one of the top markets for the province’s 18,000 pulse crop growers, who produce 67 per cent of the world’s lentils. Saskatchewan also supplies a fifth of the world’s uranium, with the highest-grade uranium deposits.