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News Release - Manitoba

January 24, 2008

Memorandum To Boost Indian Market Opportunities For Manitoba Producers, Entrepreneurs: Wowchuk



A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Manitoba and India’s National Agriculture and Food Analysis and Research Institute, and the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture will lead to new markets and opportunities for Manitoba’s agriculture sector, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced today.
 
“This MOU will open new avenues for future business opportunities for Manitoba entrepreneurs,” said Wowchuk.  “This new memorandum formalizes a process of co-operation with our partners in India to share knowledge and achieve common goals in agribusiness and value-added food-processing initiatives.
 
The MOU, reached during a provincial trade mission to India last month, focuses on areas such as joint project development in food processing, product marketing and promotion between India and North American companies, provision of assistance for importing food products and equipment, and sharing information on marketing, branding, processing, packaging and distribution.
 
The Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture is a premier industry association with over 2,200 members from different sectors such as automotive and auto ancillaries, electronics, agribusiness, information technology, biotechnology, environmental technologies and chemicals.  It is one of the most prominent and active chambers of commerce in India.
 
Wowchuk said the exchange of information will boost bilateral trade and exchange of technology and facilitate exchange of future delegations for the benefit for entrepreneurs, researchers, academics and technocrats between India and North America.
 
While attending meetings with the Confederation of Indian Industry in Chandigarh, Wowchuk delivered a presentation on Manitoba’s Food Development Centre model which has attracted interest in India as various states further the development of their food-processing capabilities.
  
Wowchuk noted the Manitoba delegation to India, which included delegates from the University of Manitoba, Canadian Wheat Board, Canadian International Grains Institute, Keystone Grain and Prairie Global Management, had meetings with Nitish Kumar, chief minister of the State of Bihar, and federal Union Agriculture Minister Kantilal Bhuria as well as a working meeting with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
 
Manitoba's exports to India soared to $79.2 million in 2006, more than four times the volume one year earlier.  Manitoba's lead exports to India include nickel, rape/colza seeds, pulse crops, paper and paperboard, stationery, machinery parts, printing inks and vaccines.
 
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