TORONTO, Jan 25: Canada’s Minister for International Trade Pierre Pettigrew on Friday announced plans for boosting Ottawa’s two-way trade with South Asian countries, including India and Pakistan.

“After lifting economic sanctions on India and Pakistan, Canada is now determined to forge closer and stronger trade ties with the South Asian states,” declared Pettigrew at a seminar, which was jointly organized by the Canada-based business organizations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Consul-general of the four South Asian countries were also present on the occasion.

While speaking on the topic of ‘Canada & South Asia: Partners for the new century’, Pettigrew announced his country’s new trade action plan for South Asia.

Describing the plan as a “useful tool to build closer ties between Ottawa and the South Asian states, the minister said Pakistan, a country of 140 million people, is offering very attractive incentives for the foreign investors.

Pettigrew pointed out that Canada is taking keen interest in Pakistan’s leather and petroleum sector.

He told the gathering that Islamabad has embarked upon an ambitious plan to bring about political and economic reforms in the country. Pakistan, he added, is “geographically important in the South Asian region.”

The minister described India as an “economic engine for South Asia”, and said that he would lead Canada’s trade mission to New Delhi in April this year.

During question-answer session, Pettigrew said he would consider suggestions to undertake a similar tour to Pakistan and other South Asian countries at a later stage.

Craig Wright, Canada’s noted economic analyst spoke on the ‘new economic realities’ and urged Canada to expand its trade relations with all South Asian countries.

Earlier, Anwar Merchant, president of Canada-Pakistan Business Council welcomed the trade minister to the seminar, which, he called, a great South Asian-Canadian event.