[Perturbed]

[QUOTE BY= FootPrints] <b>Joint study group to initiate Pakistan-Canada FTA</b><br /> Staff Report<br /> <br /> LAHORE: Steps are under way to set up a Pak-Canada Joint Study Group for initiating Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, as the volume of two-way trade is not up to the mark in Pakistan and Canada.<br /> <br /> These views were expressed by Pakistan Ambassador to Canada Shahid Malik while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday. Member of the Canadian Parliament Sinclair M Stevens, Consul-General in Canada Saifullah Chattha, LCCI Senior Vice President Abdul Basit and former senior vice president Sohail Lashari also spoke on the occasion.<br /> <br /> Mr Malik said that Canada is an important trading partner of Pakistan. At present two-way trade is about 600 million Canadian dollars and there is tremendous scope for increasing this volume.<br /> <br /> He said that Pakistan has been trying to get greater market access in Canada. The High Commission and the government of Pakistan are continuously in touch with Canadian authorities in that regard. We have requested the Canadian government for a joint study group to initiate Free Trade Agreement and negotiations are in progress in this regard. That augers well for the promotion of businesses and would definitely help facilitate the two-way trade. <br /> <br /> Sinclair M Stevens said that joint ventures between the two countries are well worth considering.<br /> <br /> He said that there is a need to redouble the efforts for increasing the volume of trade between the two countries. The trade with Canada would be a stepping-stone for trade with the entire North American Market, which in itself is a very huge market with a huge potential. He said that Canada is an avenue that Pakistani businessmen can tap very well.<br /> <br /> The LCCI Senior Vice President, Abdul Basit, said that the Canadian International Development Agency had also played a valuable role in the development of Pakistan.<br /> <br /> He said that Pakistan's growing economy and its strategic location as a regional hub – a principal gateway to the Central Asian Republics, a large consumer market, abundant natural resources, cheap but skilled labour, well established infrastructure and liberal investment friendly policies offer immense opportunities for foreign investment, which has been facilitated by the government through a number of incentives. All the economic sectors have been opened to foreign direct investment. Free movement of foreign exchange has been allowed. Foreigners have free access to capital markets and there is no restriction on borrowing if government guarantees are not sought.<br /> <a href="http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5c04%5c04%5cstory_4-4-2006_pg5_2">continued</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <b>Canada looks ahead to the anticipated visit of the Indian Prime Minister later this year </b><br /> Media Release <br /> Apr. 3, 2006 <br /> <br /> Expressing Canada's commitment to strengthen ties with India, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the two countries need to work harder to realise the full potential of the bilateral relationship.<br /> <br /> "As Canada looks ahead to the anticipated visit of the Indian Prime Minister later this year, two-way commerce continues to intensify and expand to new areas. Indeed, we are working towards a true partnership," Harper said in a message read out by Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peter Makay at a conference.<br /> <br /> Observing that collaboration has intensified and that bilateral trade has reached a record level, he said "There was a 25 per cent increase in Canadian exports to India in 2005. But we have much more work to do to bring the Canada-India relationship to its full potential," he said. <br /> <br /> "Canada is also exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement with India," Harper said.<br /> <br /> Foreign Minister Peter Makay in his message said Canada remains committed to strengthening the relationship between the two countries.<br /> <br /> "India and Canada have much to offer to one another. Over the decades, we have built on our shared values of democracy, rule of law and commitment to the Commonwealth, and created a strong partnership.<br /> <a href="http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/7796.asp">continued</a><br /> [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> <br /> Yeah, great idea!!! Let's outsource our indsitrial secrets and technical support jobs to India and Pakistan even faster than we are already doing!! That will surely impverish Canada even faster and push us towards third world status. What a great idea! <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/confused.gif' alt='Confused'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/frown.gif' alt='Frown'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/mad.gif' alt='Angry'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/evil.gif' alt='Evil'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/twisted.gif' alt='Twisted Evil'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/rolleyes.gif' alt='Rolling Eyes'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/question.gif' alt='Question'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/idea.gif' alt='Idea'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/mrgreen.gif' alt='Mr. Green'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/eek.gif' alt='Eek!'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/mad.gif' alt='Angry'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/exclaim.gif' alt='Exclaimation'> <br /> <br />