P.E.I.'s trade mission to India nets new partnerships

A 10-day trade mission to India has resulted in new agreements for P.E.I. businesses and the University of P.E.I.

Premier Wade MacLauchlan and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne led the trade mission ofbusiness, education and government representatives.

• India trade mission yields prospects for P.E.I.'s food sector

UPEIhas signed amemorandumof understandingwithUttaranchalUniversityto co-ordinate engineering and science exchanges for faculty and research.

The Island university also signedMOUswithChitkaraUniversity and thePubjabAgricultural University for exchanges of faculty, students, and research and programs, according tothe release.

The signed MOUssignal formal agreements that are legally binding. Itoutlines the terms and details of the agreement between parties, including requirements and responsibilities.

Businesses sign agreements

In a news release, MacLauchlan said LaunchPad PEI, a non-profit organization that provides support for technology startups and identifiesopportunities for companies to open in P.E.I. and India, has signed the memorandums with two Indian firms, Startup Square and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs)that are focused on promoting entrepreneurship.

During his visit, MacLauchlan met with India's Prime Minister Narenda Modi and discussed cooperation in clean energy, fisheries and aquaculture, and sustainable food and agriculture.

"You can't overstate the importance of these face-to-face meetings, which have helped us make key connections and enhance our province's business reputation in one of the world's largest and fastest growing markets," said MacLauchlan in the news release.

A delegation of P.E.I. companies, Aspin Kemp and Associates, Coles Associates, and Portsmouth Atlantictook part in meetings with businesses in India interested in seeking partnerships.

MOUs were signed with software company Aark Infosoft,which hasplans to open its first North American office in P.E.I.

An MOU was also signedwith Canadian Nectar Products toexport apples to Indian markets from its Island orchards.