The Hindu : Canada ready to help revive J&K economy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 26, 2003

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Canada ready to help revive J&K economy

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR JUNE 25. Canada has offered help to revive the ailing economy of Jammu and Kashmir. A step in this direction is its decision to extend by two years the jobs for youth who complete their study on its soil.

On the Kashmir problem, Canada feels that the recent diplomatic initiatives by India and Pakistan seem to be positive and a solution to the issue is possible only through a dialogue between the two countries.

This was disclosed by the Canadian High Commissioner to India, Peter Sutherland, who concluded his three-day visit to Kashmir valley today.

He told The Hindu that: "the recent elections in J&K have been a turning point in the situation which has been prevailing for the last 13 years. I think Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's Government is on the right direction and its policies are being received well by the people."

On reviving the economy, Mr. Sutherland said that though no direct investments were possible, the Canadian Government would encourage its companies to "come, visit and share the expertise in different fields here". There was a great potential in the power sector for having hydro and micro projects and "we could be of great help".

Mr. Sutherland, who met the Chief Minister and the Ministers for Agriculture, Power and Forests, said "we will make our people aware of the potential here and more importantly of the changed situation". Canadian engineers were supervising the Pathankot-Jammu road stretch.

Projects for rejuvenating the world famous lakes of Dal and Nagin would be given priority. In the horticulture sector, expertise would be given in the processing of fruits.

Optimistic about the increasing trade with India, Mr. Sutherland said Canada, being the sixth largest exporter in the world, had an enormous scope for expanding trade interests. "We are already pursuing our efforts in this direction and last year a delegation of 166 members was here and the Minister for Natural Resources signed a number of contracts during his visit to India.''

Canada was "encouraged" by the programme of liberalisation and disinvestments. The Foreign Direct Investment was a "right policy" but there must be more emphasis on doing away with red tapism.

On students going to Canada, Mr. Sutherland said the number was less compared to countries such as the U.S., the U.K., and Australia.

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