Quebec eyes stronger India ties in AI, aerospace and investment: Christopher Skeete

New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) Quebec is looking to deepen its economic engagement with India by expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace, education and clean technologies, while encouraging greater two-way investment and business partnerships, according to a minister from the Canadian province.

Speaking to IANS, Christopher Skeete, Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, has said the province is focused on diversifying its economy and building long-term, stable partnerships with India.

“For us, it’s about diversifying our economy, making sure that we have stable relationships with India, and we think there are a lot of synergies to develop. We are very excited about it,” he said.

Skeete identified AI, aerospace and education as the sectors offering the greatest potential for collaboration, noting that universities in Quebec and India have strong complementarities that could be leveraged further.

“Aerospace is a great place. Artificial intelligence is another great area, but also education. There is a lot of proximity between our universities. We need to do more there,” he told IANS.

The world is changing very quickly, and we need each other in order to foster secure supply chains and secure relationships. I think we are ideally suited to do both of those things, according to him.

Inviting Indian companies to explore opportunities in Quebec, Skeete said the province offers a favourable environment for entrepreneurs and innovation-driven businesses.

“There are a lot of opportunities for Indian investors. We love entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial experience. There are great things for Indian companies to do in Quebec, and also for Quebec companies to do here in India,” he said.

He said Quebec is keen to strengthen its presence in India to facilitate business engagement and investment flows in both directions.

Highlighting emerging technologies as a key pillar of future cooperation, Skeete said AI and aerospace are expected to play a central role in the next phase of Quebec-India economic ties.

“Artificial intelligence defines the future, and Quebec is very well positioned in that sphere. We can do a lot together. Aerospace is another priority where both sides have significant opportunities,” according to him.

Rather than setting long-term targets, the minister said the immediate focus is on creating tangible business outcomes.

“We need to have businesses from India come to Quebec, we need to have businesses from Quebec come here, and we need to foster those links now so that in 10 years we can say it was a great success,” he said.

Skeete said he held meetings with officials at both the state and central government levels during his visit and is looking to strengthen institutional cooperation that would further improve the business climate between Quebec and India.

–IANS

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