Talks on to resolve pulses import duty hike issue: Canadian Minister

The Dollar Business Bureau

Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi said on Monday that discussions were on for resolving the issue of hike in tariff on imports of pulses by India.

“Talks on to resolve pulses import duty hike issue with India,” Sohi told the media persons at an interactive session organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata.

India, which makes up for almost 48% of the global pulses consumption, is a key importer of pulses from Canada and the US. In 2016-17, out of $4.1 billion imports from Canada, India imported $1.1 billion worth of pulses. However, pulse shipments from Canada have fallen to around $500 million in 2017-18, due to Indian government’s controls and duties following a supply surplus in 2016-17.

Due to deluge of pulses in domestic market, the Government put a limit on import quantity of various pulses including tur (red gram), moong (green gram) and urad (black gram). It also raised import duty on yellow peas to 50%, which forms the bulk of Canadian pulses shipments and on chana (chickpeas) to 40%. Last year, 10,000 tonnes of chickpeas were exported by Canada to India, as per the Statistics Canada.

The Canadian Minister further said that the major areas of cooperation between India and Canada could be infrastructure, waste water management, construction, and education.

“We see a lot of potential to grow bilateral trade between India and Canada. We want to convey that Canada is open to investments,” he said.

“Canada will invest around $143.44 billion in the next 10 years to create new infrastructure in trade and transportation corridors, public transport system, ports, airports, mining, oil and gas, and natural resources, Sohi informed.

“This will provide a huge opportunity for Canadian and Indian companies,” he added.

Sohi is a part of the delegation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is on official visit to India from February 17 to 23. During his visit, the Canadian Prime Minister will be visiting Agra, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Mumbai and Delhi.

Trudeau is accompanied by a business delegation comprising leaders from prominent Canadian companies and will address business forums in Mumbai and Delhi.