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ECONOMIC REFORM PROCESS WILL CONTINUE- MANOHAR JOSHI IN TORONTO
Totonto ~ June 28, 2001
Shri Manohar Joshi Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises addressing to members of the business community and the Indo-Canadians in Toronto said that there can be no going back on economic reform process. A secular democratic framework with independent judiciary and free press even at the cost of avoidable delays is a preferable option.
The Minister was accompanied by a business delegation put together by the Indo-Canada Business Council Mumbai and led by its President Gul Kripalani. He requested the Canadian authorities to open a visa issuing office at Mumbai.
Shri Joshi reaffirmed his government's commitment to move ahead with disinvestments of public enterprises. He said "the government has taken a firm decision that it is not its business to be in business." But the government is committed to provide efficient and transparent policy framework and good governance. In reply to a question on Exit Policy Shri Joshi repeated government's commitment to disinvest or close sick industries.
Shri Joshi reassured his audience about India's keen desire to reciprocate the sentiments of the Canadian government for building the "widest possible" bilateral relations. Earlier. Welcoming the Minister the Executive Director of Canada-India Business Council Mr. Murray Jans informed the audience that Canada's Minister of International Trade Mr. Pierre Pettigrew will be leading a large business delegation to India from October 8-12. 2001.
Replying to a question Shri Joshi made it very clear that the Chinese expatriate community has made a significant contribution in attracting investments and hoped that the NRIs would do the same. But India will always be committed to secular democracy free press and independent judiciary even if the government has to put up with avoidable delays in the process Shri Joshi affirmed.
The Minister also thanked the NRIs for contributing over C$2 million towards Gujarat earthquake relief works.
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