New Delhi, Feb.15 : Canada's Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Peter MacKay, will lead an Atlantic Gateway-focused business mission to India from February 18 to 22.

The mission will include key business forums in New Delhi and Mumbai and promote Canada's Atlantic Gateway to Indian shippers, business leaders, and key government representatives.

MacKay will be accompanied by provincial government representatives and a private sector delegation representing airports, ports, railways, and transportation-related businesses and associations active in Atlantic Canada.

"The development of Canada's gateways and trade corridors is part of our government's commitment to facilitating international trade and increasing our national competitiveness by linking North America to the world.This mission demonstrates our Government's continuing partnership with the four Atlantic provinces to develop the Atlantic Gateway initiative," Mackay said.

"The Atlantic Gateway is an important part of the Government of Canada's strategy to improve out trade competitiveness through gateways which connect North America with the world," said Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

"We consider India to be a priority market and this mission will provide Canadian businesses with the chance to develop and strengthen commercial ties with their Indian counterparts," he added.

Ministers from all four Atlantic Provinces will participate in the mission. They include Denis Landry, Minister of Transportation for New Brunswick, Ron W. MacKinley, Minister of Transportation and Public Works for Prince Edward Island, Angus MacIsaac, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Gateway in Nova Scotia, and Paul Oram, Minister of Business for Newfoundland and Labrador.

While in India, MacKay will meet in New Delhi and Mumbai with Indian government officials and key representatives of the Indian private sector.

The mission follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Federal and Provincial Governments to develop the Atlantic Gateway.

ANI