Kolkata, Sep 2 - Bilateral trade between India and Canada is expected to grow threefold in five years, according to Gerald Keddy, the parliamentary secretary to the North American country's international trade minister.

'We are looking at a bilateral trade of $14 billion in the next five years,' Keddy said at a press meet here Wednesday after inaugurating the Canada Trade Office.

This is Canada's third trade office in India after Delhi and Mumbai, with Hyderabad and Ahmedabad slated to follow.

Kolkata would be a gateway to the eastern and north eastern states in the country, Keddy said at the media briefing organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), saying Canada was interested in the region's mining sector.

West Bengal industry minister Nirupam Sen said the state was 'sound in industries' like jute, food processing units, information technology, petrochemical and tea.

'The important areas of cooperation are mining and manufacturing. The eastern region is rich in coal, iron ore, bauxite and other kinds of mineral resources. Therefore, it is prudent for Canada to set up a trade office over here.'