GCCI inks MoU with Canadian biz body

Ahmedabad: With nearly 20 per cent (1.1 mn) of its population comprising Gujaratis, Gujarat and Canada have lots in common and make for ideal business partners, Canadian member of Parliament Patrick Brown said here on Saturday.
Brown, in town for the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit 2009 in what is his first visit to the state, is already impressed with what he has seen of Ahmedabad and Gujarat.
The Canadian MP was speaking to TOI at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) where along with Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani he was present for the inaugural of the GCCI NRG Overseas Wing, inking of MoU between GCCI and the Gujarati Business Association of Toronto as well as unveiling of GCCI Exim Directory 2009.
"I did the heritage walk in the morning. I was amazed at the history and heritage you have going back ages. Compared to this Canada is a very young country," said Brown who is gung-ho about the state's tourism potential.
"When I see Gujarat's amazing coastline I can tell that Gujarat will be the one of the hottest tourism destinations in the world 20 years down the line," said Brown.
"Just like the USP of Canada's tourism is its natural beauty, Gujarat has its strong points in Mahatma Gandhi, lions, beaches and heritage. We will be pitching for tourism related projects in Gujarat at the summit," promised Brown.
According to him, the Canadian delegation was eyeing investments in infrastructure, science and technology, aerospace, oil and gas, nuclear energy as well as tourism at the summit.
Calling for closer co-operation between Gujarat and Canadian governments, Brown said there was need for two-way traffic in tourism as well as education sectors. "We also need direct flight connectivity between Gujarat and Canada."