2009-12-01 01:06:46
OTTAWA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Canada and India have reached a major nuclear trade deal that will allow Canadian firms to sell nuclear materials, equipment and technology to the South Asian emerging market, Canadian media reported Monday.
The deal was announced Saturday by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, where they were attending the Commonwealth leaders' summit.
The deal, expected to be signed and implemented soon, has been controversial because Canada cut nuclear trade in 1974 after India used Canadian materials to manufacture its first nuclear weapon.
But the Harper government has been keen to re-establish the relationship because they estimate the energy market in India will be worth as much as 50 billion Canadian dollars (47 billion U. S. dollars) during the next 20 years.
Nuclear industry in Canada is an active business and research sector, producing about 15 percent of its electricity in nuclear power plants of domestic design. Canada is the world's largest exporter of uranium, and has the world's second largest proven reserves.
During Harper's a visit to India earlier this month, the two sides agreed to boost their trade and energy cooperation.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/01/content_12567091.htm
Comments
Post a Comment