Commodity Online
NEW DELHI: When India and the US signed the historic nuclear deal, it was expected that several foreign countries will queue up to do business with India. That has now started happening with several countries showing up at India’s door expressing their intent to start business with India.

One delegation from Canada’s Saskatchewan province is in India to discuss various businesses as the province thinks that it can explore the opportunity in India.

The delegation has met officials of Reliance Industries, Suzlon, Gujarat-based wind energy specialists, and BARC.

Prospects ranging from export of uranium to fuel India’s plans for stepping up nuclear power production and forging tie-ups with Indian oil and gas exploration companies to tapping the potential for wind energy and commodities trading were discussed at the meetings.

The Canadian Province, which is the world’s largest producer of uranium, is open to the idea of exporting it to India to boost the latter’s nuclear power programme.

A survey undertaken early last year by the Canadian Ministry of Energy and Resources indicated that mineral exploration spending intentions in Saskatchewan for 2008 would touch about $360 million. Although much of the spending will be on uranium and diamond exploration at $195 million and $95 million respectively, there will be significant expenditures on exploring for potash and other minerals ($41 million), gold ($16.9 million and base metals ($10.8 million).

The province is also looking at for partnerships with Indian companies in oil and gas exploration .

Canadian oil exploration company, Oil Sands Quest, is looking at tying up with Indian companies for strategic alliances.

Trade in commodities ranging from pulses to potash with India also features in the delegation’s visit.

Currently, pulse growers from the Canadian province are engaged in partnership research work to develop value-added and more nutritious lentil products.