ONTARIO Premier Kathleen Wynne will lead a mission to India in early 2016 to foster more opportunities for trade and investment and promote Ontario’s expertise in sustainable development.

A main component of the trip will be a business delegation that will visit New Delhi and Mumbai – India’s governing and economic centres – as well as Hyderabad and Chandigarh. Wynne will meet with government and industry decision-makers to discuss how Ontario’s expertise makes the province an attractive partner as India works toward achieving its sustainable development goals. She will also highlight the province’s position as the North American leader in attracting foreign capital investment. The mission is expected to result in several new agreements that will create jobs and boost the provincial economy.

As part of the trip, Wynne will also meet with cultural leaders to reinforce Ontario’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with India.

Wynne said: “As India’s focus on infrastructure and sustainable development continues to grow, there is also increasing demand in areas where our province has expertise. This mission will help us leverage these new opportunities for investment and raise the global profile of Ontario’s businesses.”

Providing more opportunities for Ontario companies to compete internationally is part of the government’s economic plan. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan, according to an official press release.

Quick Facts

* According to the Conference Board of Canada, every $100-million increase in exports creates approximately 1,000 new jobs.

* India is undertaking an ambitious development plan — called the Smart Cities Initiative — that aims to promote and support sustainable economic growth, improve governance and deliver more effective public services.

* India is planning to invest over US$1 trillion in infrastructure development.

* Ontario’s strong ties with India are bolstered by the over 700,000 Indo-Canadians who live in the province. Each year, Ontario welcomes more newcomers from India than from any other country in the world.