Shri Beni Prasad Verma, Steel Minister, was accorded a warm reception in British Columbia by the Premier, Ms. Christy Clark, during his visit to Vancouver.
The Premier, Ms.Christy Clark, thanked the Steel Minister, Shri Beni Prasad Verma, for his visit to British Columbia along with the delegation comprising of Shri DRS Chaudhary, Secretary to the Govt. of India, Ministry of Steel; Shri AP Choudhary, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd.; and Shri Lokesh Chandra, Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India, Ministry of Steel. The Minister for International Trade, Ms.Teresa Wat, was also present and indicated that in recent years, the Indo-Canadian relationship is witnessing a new momentum in line with India’s economic growth.
The delegation had a series of meetings with the Govt. of British Columbia, wherein both the Ministers identified a number of opportunities for mutual cooperation. It was acknowledged that the Indian steel industry is growing at a fast pace, requiring additional quantities of coking coal, which can be sourced from British Columbia. The various possibilities of sourcing coal from British Columbia, equity participation in coal assets, coal asset acquisition & other areas of interest were discussed during the meeting. The delegation also had series of discussions with the coal asset owners and various avenues for sourcing coking coal to India to meet its ever growing requirement, was discussed.
A “Cooperation Agreement” was signed between Ms.Teresa Wat, Minister for International Trade, British Columbia and Shri AP Choudhary, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. in the presence of Minister of Steel, Govt. of India, Shri Beni Prasad Verma and the Premier of British Columbia, Ms. Christy Clark.
The agreement expresses the intent to promote and expand bilateral cooperation in the Minerals & Mining sector, to explore and encourage investment opportunities, development and exploration of mining related projects and exchange of technological research and innovation.
A “Statement of Cooperation” was also signed by Shri AP Choudhary, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Rashtriya Nigam Ltd. with CEO of IC-IMPACTS Centre of Excellence, University of British Columbia, to encourage and strengthen relationship and potential collaboration for technology development and transfer, network development, research partnerships related to promotion of steel, water conservation and augmentation, in the presence of Shri Beni Prasad Verma, Minister of Steel and the Premier, British Columbia, Ms.Christy Clark.
Shri DRS Chaudhary, Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Steel; Shri Ravi Shankar Aisola, Consul General of India at Vancouver; Shri Lokesh Chandra, Joint Secretary(Steel), Govt. of India & senior officials from British Columbia were present on this occasion.
Admiral Nirmal Verma, High Commissioner of India at Canada, thanked the Govt. of British Columbia for the warm reception to the Indian delegation and for organizing the various meetings to enhance the bilateral cooperation between India and Canada.
NSK/GM
2024 IC-IMPACTS Conference in Delhi December 9 - 11, 2024 New Delhi, India
