India and Canada will later this week discuss issues around a bilateral trade agreement when Canada’s minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development Mary Ng visits New Delhi. The commerce and industry ministry on Wednesday said that various bilateral trade and investment issues will be discussed during her visit from March 10-13 in order to further strengthen the bilateral ties and economic partnership including the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The minister is visiting New Delhi to hold the fifth India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade & Investment (MDTI) which will be co-chaired by commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal, the ministry said in a statement.

“During the MDTI meeting various bilateral trade and investment issues will be discussed in order to further strengthen the bilateral ties and economic partnership including India-Canada CEPA,” the ministry said.

Bilateral goods trade in 2021 reached $ 6.29 billion, up 12% as compared to the previous year. Total bilateral trade including goods and services crossed $11 billion.

In the current financial year during April 2021-January 2022, Indian exports to Canada have increased to $3 billion, up almost 25% over the previous year.

The major Indian exports to Canada include drugs and pharmaceutical products, iron & steel products, marine products, cotton fabrics & readymade garments, and chemicals while key Canadian exports to India comprise pulses, fertilizers, coal and crude petroleum.