'India, Canada look to conclude FTA talks by year-end,' says Piyush Goyal

NEW DELHI: India and Canada are looking at concluding the negotiations for a free trade agreement by end of this year, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal has said. Goyal is in Canada for a three-day official visit, starting May 25. "Our Prime Minister has tasked us not only with completing the free trade agreement with a comprehensive outlook before the end of this year or earlier - but also tripling our trade from a current $17 billion level to $50 billion by 2030," he said, while jointly addressing the media in Ottawa with Canada's trade minister Maninder Sidhu on Monday.

Goyal also called on Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney. In a social media post, Carney said, "We're negotiating a free trade deal with India. This will be a game changer for Canadian workers and businesses - unlocking a massive new market. We're working fast - I met minister @PiyushGoyal to review our progress so far and explore the opportunities ahead for both our countries in energy, agri-food, tech, and education". The two countries are negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

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