Canada announces a new visa regime for Indians

From Bal Krishna
Toronto, Jun 10 (PTI) Giving a fillip to Indo-Canada
trade relations, Toronto has announced a new visa regime that
will allow Indians 10 years multiple entry visa to the
country.
The announcement was made by Canadian Minister of
International Trade Edward Fast at a meeting with delegates of
the Indian government and business community at the two-day
mini Parvasi Bharatiya Divas Canada 2011 convention that began
here on Friday.
Fast said the new visa process would be available to
Indians who travelled to Canada frequently.
"After an initial visa screening, applicants can get a
visa that allow them to visit Canada often – as long as their
passports are valid up to ten years," Fast said.
Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur who
is leading the Indian delegation said both countries were
committed to strengthen their bilateral trade relations.
"The Indo-Canadian community is a microcosm of the people
of Indian origin living abroad," she said.
"India and Canada will soon sign the Social Security
Agreement, conclude a bilateral Investment Protection
Agreement, negotiate a revised Double Taxation Avoidance
Agreement and complete an ambitious Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement," she said, adding both nations aim at a
bilateral trade target of USD 15 billion in next five years.
Both countries were in talks for a Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement that would yield significant economic
benefit and lower tariff on a large number of products for
both the countries.