BC, Punjab agree to collaborate in various fields

British Columbia and Punjab today announced to forge collaboration in various fields including skill development, dairy and food processing besides educational and cultural exchange.
The decision was taken by a visiting Canadian delegation led by British Columbia (BC) Premier Christy Clark, following a meeting with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here this evening, an official statement said here.
Taking part in the deliberations, the Clark assured Badal that the decisions taken in the meeting would be implemented in the right earnest as "Punjabis shared cordial ties with Canada" besides "contributing enormously" in its overall development and prosperity.
The step aims to further boost the bilateral, socio- economic ties between the both states in fields like food technology, processing and cold chain, dairying and milk processing, besides cultural exchange, it said.

The premier asked Minister of Advanced Education BC, Amrik Virk, who accompanied her in the meeting to tie up with Punjab Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema to work out the modalities for teacher and student exchange program during the summer vacations.
She said a faculty exchange programme under which the faculty of British Columbia University would visit the state universities especially in the fields of pharmacology, generic medicines and bio-energy, where these universities have a strong presence would also be initiated.

Responding positively to the proposals put forth by Badal to collaborate in the area of food technology, processing and cold chain, dairying and milk processing, the BC Premier apprised him that they had a trade centre at Chandigarh where the Punjab Government could submit these proposals there for their active consideration and follow up.

The release said that she also evinced keen interest in the exchange of cultural troupes of eminent musicians and folk singers from Punjab to participate in the Vancouver Punjabi Mela held every year.
Meanwhile, the chief minister emphasised the need to put a mechanism in place to follow up these decisions to ensure their prompt implementation, adding, he suggested that a high-level group headed by the state's chief secretary be constituted to take these and any other issue forward.
He also impressed upon the visiting Premier to set up their ventures in the upcoming Medi City and Edu City at New Chandigarh where there was a huge scope for mutual collaboration.

Apart from this, Badal also impressed upon the BC Premier for setting up skill development centres in Punjab to cater to their mutual needs.
"It was a matter of great pride that both India and Canada were strong democracies besides the member of Commonwealth," the statement said.
The BC delegation also met Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal.