Haryana and Canada to promote mutual interest

By Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, JAN 29

 Haryana and Canada today decided to further promote their mutual interest in various fields especially in food processing.

          The Premier of province of Manitoba, Canada, Mr. Greg Selinger, who had a meeting with Haryana Finance Minister Mr. Harmohinder Singh Chattha and Education Minister Mrs. Geeta Bhukkal said that an agreement was signed between Haryana government and Manitoba Food Development Centre in May 2010 to develop similar centre in Haryana in collaboration with Manitoba Food Development Centre. Mr. Selinger said we are ready to further promote the same as these would lead to develop food processing, commercialization of food and health sector.

          Mr. Selinger said that Manitoba is also willing to work in the field of manufacturing sector. He said that Manitoba was also working in hydro-power with Himachal Pradesh. He said that as Haryana has join hands with Bhutan to get power, Canada too could cooperate in project management and transmission of hydro-power.  

          Education Minister Mrs. Bhukkal apprised the nine member Canadian delegation that National Vocational Education Qualification Framework had been started at school level in Haryana under which vocational education is being imparted to the students. Hence skill manpower is available in Haryana. She offered Mr. Selinger to provide skilled manpower. She said that Haryana has become educational hub of international standard. A national level teachers training centre is being established in Haryana. The government had also signed an agreement with British Council in this direction. The institutional collaboration could be considered if Canada is willing to cooperate in this direction, she added.

          Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Mr. Roshan Lal apprised that state government had set up Centre of Excellence for Vegetables in Ghraunda in collaboration with Israel. Apart from this, an international level Terminal Market is being set up at Ganaur.  The Central government had also given its approval for FDI in retail sector. Cold chain and research and development sector would be promoted. He said that work on diversification of paddy-wheat cycle is being done. This would not only improve the depleting ground water level but also inspire the farmers toward cash crops.

          Principal Secretary, Industries Mr. Y.S. Malik said that Haryana has achieved fast growth in terms of industrialization and under new Industrial and Investment policy, agro-based, food processing and allied industries had been identified as thrust areas.

          Those present included Chief Secretary Mr. P.K. Chaudhery and other senior officers of the state government.