Lucknow, March 18: Canada has taken a significant step towards establishing Uttar Pradesh as a global investment hub. The country has expressed keen interest in enhancing cooperation in defense, energy, and trade with the state.
Canadian High Commissioner Christopher Cooter highlighted the vast potential for long-term investments and technological partnerships in Uttar Pradesh. This visit comes as part of efforts to realize the state government’s goal of a $1 trillion economy. A high-level delegation, led by Cooter, visited Lucknow on Wednesday.
The delegation was welcomed by the state’s Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna and Chief Minister’s Secretary Amit Singh. They toured the ‘Invest UP’ headquarters in Lucknow, where a strategic meeting was held under the leadership of Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner (IIDC) Deepak Kumar.
During the meeting, the focus was on redefining bilateral cooperation in sectors such as defense, renewable energy, and educational innovation. ‘Invest UP’ presented the state’s robust investment ecosystem, large consumer market, and developing infrastructure. Initiatives like Uttar Pradesh’s FDI Policy-2023 and GCC Policy-2024 are attracting global companies.
The progress of the Uttar Pradesh Defense Industrial Corridor and advanced manufacturing projects like the BrahMos missile were also prominently discussed. High Commissioner Cooter emphasized the need to expand India-Canada trade relations, noting immense collaboration opportunities in areas such as green hydrogen, LNG/LPG, and critical minerals.
He underscored the importance of self-reliance in the defense sector amid the changing global landscape. Cooter also prioritized educational collaboration, stating that partnerships between leading Canadian institutions and Uttar Pradesh would enhance skill development, innovation, and the exchange of global talent.
The High Commissioner expressed confidence that strong cooperation in trade, technology transfer, and skill development would yield long-term benefits for both parties and accelerate sustainable development. The delegation included Defense Advisor Colonel Stephen Murray, Political and Economic Officer Rohit Shukla, and Trade Commissioner Sumen Mandal.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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