India Mission 2013Media Coverage

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Mumbai

Brampton Guardian

04 January, 2013

Mayor, city meet in Mumbai

In Mumbai. Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell, right, and Regional Councillor Gael Miles, who is

also chair of the city's Economic Development Committee, met with Dr. Shubhada M. Rao,

president and chief economist with YES Bank this week in India. City of Brampton

Seven City of Brampton officials will travel to India Jan. 2 as part of the Indo-Canada Chamber

of Commerce...

Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell and six other City of Brampton representatives are in India with

the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce on a trade mission the mayor says will build stronger

relations and encourage job creation in Brampton.

“I’m putting down the welcome mat for global companies to invest in Brampton, create jobs for

residents and strengthen our local economy,” she said in a statement as she prepared to leave on

the 15-day mission Wednesday. “With one of the world’s fastest-growing middle classes, India

is an incredible market of customers for Brampton-based companies to sell their products and

services to,” she said.

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And with trade representing 60 per cent of Canada’s economy, commercial partnerships with

Indian business are key to economic growth in Brampton as well the rest of the country, Fennell

Tweeted from India yesterday.

The more than 40-member delegation from Canada was in Mumbai yesterday, where Fennell

Tweeted that she had met with Consulate General of Canada Nicolas Lepage, and two

Memorandums of Understanding were signed with the World Trade Centre in Mumbai and the

All India Association of Industries, agreeing to expand trade and co-operation between India and

Canada.

Representing Brampton is Fennell, her Chief of Staff Ian Newman, Regional Councillor and

Chair of Economic Development Gael Miles, Regional Councillor John Sprovieri, City

Councillor Vicky Dhillon and Commissioner of Economic Development Dennis Cutajar, and

Director of Economic Development Sohail Saeed.

They are joined by Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, and more than 40 other delegates.

Fennell had just returned from a trade mission to China with other GTA municipal politicians

and officials, where she said she was encouraged and energized by her meetings and discussions,

encouraging entrepreneurs to locate their job-creating projects in Brampton.

In India, Brampton’s representatives will meet with Indian private sector and government leaders

in Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Delhi.

“I look forward to discussing the competitive advantages Indian companies will enjoy from

doing business in Brampton,” Fennell said. “Brampton has an exceptional quality of life, first-

class educational institutions like Sheridan College and a surplus of human capital.

“Our economy is connected by 400-series highways, reliable roads and mass transit. Our

strategic location in the heart of North America, minutes from Pearson International, makes us an

ideal place to locate in.”

The trade missions are part of the city’s council-approved economic development strategy.

The city’s trade mission to India, and more recently China, are opportunities to build long-term

relationships with entrepreneurs and to encourage them to develop their next job-creating ideas

here in Brampton.

Joined by other municipal leaders around the GTA, the delegation will focus on several

burgeoning industries including advanced manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, education, food

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and beverage, bio-technology, infrastructure and information technology, with help from the

business leaders with the Indo-Canada Chamber.

http://www.bramptonguardian.com/article/1561402--mayor-city-meet-in-mumbai

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Mumbai

Afternoon Despatch & Courier

January 07, 2013

Indo-Canada Ties Hold Untapped Potential

By A Business Reporter

The match between the two countries is so perfect that it seems to be tailor-made. The people,

the economics, the trade all seems to be just the right fit. The countries in question are India and

Canada. And, according to experts, this relationship has a lot of potential that is yet to be

exploited.

“We need to identify certain segments of the economy and focus on them so that trade between

our countries can be enhanced even further,” says Vijay Kalantri, President All India Association

of Industries (AIAI). Kalantri was speaking with reference to the trade potential between India

and Canada at a recent meet that was organised by the World Trade Centre, Mumbai to honour

the mayors of two Canadian cities as also to boost trade between India and Canada.

The balance of trade between the two countries is almost equal. The export-import equation

between India and Canada stands at approximately 2.5 to 2.7 billion dollars. Compared to

this, trade with China, stands at some 16 billion dollars. “There is no reason why trade between

India and Canada could not touch approximately 15 billion dollars by 2015,” says Kalantri.

It is to be noted that the Canadian economy is a stable one. So how is trade between the two

countries to be boosted? “We must always be in conversation so that not only trade but also ties

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between India and Canada are enhanced,” says Kalantri.

“There is a deep appreciation in Markham of the very significant contribution of the South Asian

community,” says Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of Markham in Canada. The contribution that Scarpitti

referred to was not just in the business sphere, but also in the cultural aspect as well.

“Markham and Brampton (another town in Canada) are just two of the communities that have

realised the contribution of the South Asian community,” informs Scarpitti.

Thus the Mayor was bullish with the Vibrant Gujarat concept, which he felt makes for a really

good trade contribution.

Incidentally Markham is known s Canada’s high-tech capital and boasts of more than 900 firms

in this sector in that city. Her main employment generator however lies in another sphere, one

that is as close to the Indian hearts as is IT – the SME segment. “A large number of the

entrepreneurs in the SME segment are from India,” informs Scarpitti.

At the end of the day it boils down to economics, specifically taxes. “We have a lower tax

rate than the US. This is something that is not widely known,” says Scarpitti.

Another city that highlights the tax advantage to get trade and investment with India rolling is

that of Brampton. “Not only are our tax rates very competitive, but our water too is abundant and

at competitive rates,” says Susan Fannell, Mayor of Brampton. Thus, Brampton’s water

reserves are expected to last for some two hundred years. And why is this relevant? “This is

important for industries like those in the Food & Beverages industry,” she says.

Highlighting the fact that just because you are a government body you can be as aggressive as

the private sector is the fact that, according to Fannell, Brampton is a debt-free city. “All of the

infrastructure that you see has been paid for,” she says.

“We have such a strong South Asian community back home that when I stepped off the plane (in

India) I felt that I was back home,” Fannell said.

“Our sustained growth over the past three and a half decades has been because of our focus on

our mandate,” says Naval Bajaj, President, Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce, explain the

success of that trade body that was founded to boost ties between the two countries. The Indo

Canada Chamber of Commerce is the largest Diaspora body in the world, Bajaj informs.

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The strategy of the body to achieve success has been two fold. First there is a focus on small

businesses. Next, there is a focus on the Tier III government. “A large number of the one million

or so Diaspora in Canada is in business. It is in our DNA,” explains Bajaj of the success

of Indians in Canada. Perhaps this is a way forward for the two countries to boost ties even

further.

http://www.afternoondc.in/business-investment/indo-canada-ties-hold-untapped-

potential/article_72969

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Mumbai

The Weekly Voice

11 January, 2013

ICCC’s Six-city India Mission 2013

Toronto: Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC)’s India Mission 2013 which started on

January 3 from Toronto has completed its first leg and has so far visited three of the six cities on

its itinerary. These cities include Mumbai, Bangalore and Kochi. Led by ICCC’s President Naval

Bajaj, the India Mission 2013comprises over a 100 small businesses from Canada and also

includes a team from the Cities of Brampton and Markham led by their respective mayors.

In Mumbai, which was the first city on the itinerary, the delegates had eight interactive sessions

during the two-day stay (January 4 and 5) in the commercial capital of India that included

meetings with the diplomatic corps, government officials, briefing sessions, luncheon receptions

and seminars on small businesses, and B2B meetings with leading private banking institutions,

chambers of commerce, industry association and visits to movie studio and movie industry

institutions.

Dr. Subadha Rao, Chief Economist, Yes Bank, was the keynote speaker at the first event – a

briefing session – organized by the Consulate General of Canada in India. Dr. Rao’s presentation

on the emerging global and Indian economic scenario was followed by another sterling

presentation by Nicolas LePage, Senior Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Canada in

Mumbai. Later that evening, senior officials of Yes Bank interacted with the Mission delegates at

a special dinner that the bank had organized. Naval Bajaj recalled ICCC’s growing relationship

with Yes Bank. He observed, “Just last month our Chamber collaborated with Yes Bank when

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Tushar Panday, Ashish Chandak and Kangan Mehta participated in ICCC’s Canada-India

Mining Forum. The Yes Bank team will again be in Canada in March to attend the annual PDAC

convention. We look forward to a long working relationship with Yes Bank in the future on

mutually beneficial areas in addition to mining.”

http://www.weeklyvoice.com/community-news/icccs-six-city-india-mission-2013/

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Bengaluru

The Hindu

January 8, 2013

Canada says hi to Kannada

STAFF REPORTER

Mayor of Brampton, Susan Fennel being greeted by Mayor, D.Venkatesh Murthy at BBMP

office in Bangalore on 7th, January 2013 . Photo : K . Bhagya Prakash

While Bangalore was known as garden city, Brampton was known as the city of flowers, Ms.

Susan Fennel said

Bangalore Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy had a special visitor on Monday. Susan Fennel, his

counterpart from the Canadian city Brampton, met him and discussed infrastructure development

and possibility of entering into a memorandum of understanding for the same.

Accompanied by members of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, she said she had fulfilled

a long-pending desire of visiting Bangalore. While Bangalore was known as garden city,

Brampton was known as the city of flowers, Ms. Fennel said.

“Bangalore is known to be an IT capital and I have always wanted to visit [here]. I feel there are

many similarities between Brampton and Bangalore.”

Ms. Fennel said industrialists from Brampton were interested in investing in Bangalore and she

herself wished for mutual understanding and business development in IT between the two cities.

Friendly deals

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Inviting Mr. Murthy to Brampton, she said that both cities could enter into a “Friendship City”

understanding that would be mutually beneficial.

Mr. Murthy assured her of extending support to Canadian industrialists who wish to invest in the

city.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/canada-says-hi-to-kannada/article4283765.ece

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Bengaluru

South Asian Observer

11 January, 2013

FKCCI signs MoU with Canadian delegation

The FKCCI and the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce to promote trade between Karnataka

and Canada in education, healthcare, aerospace, food processing, tourism and infrastructure.

The leader of the 30-member Canadian delegation, Naval Bajaj, said various opportunities exist

for Indian entrepreneurs in Canada in energy, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and other sectors.

The Mayor of Brampton, Canada, Susan Dorothy Fennell said Canada is the best country in the

world for investment.

She informed that Brampton is taking active initiative to create a healthy environment for

business and small scale industries. Brampton has a successful, diversified economy and home to

8,000 businesses, with an economic base comprising services and manufacturing.

J V Patil, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, said although India has bilateral trade with the

USA, trade with Canada has not yet been explored in spite of there being huge potential.

http://www.southasianobserver.com/topstories.php?cid=838

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Kochi

Business Standard

05 January, 2013

Canadian senior minister, mayor from 'Mini India' to attend Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

The delegation will also attend Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013 in Gandhinagar

Press Trust of India / Toronto Jan 05, 2013, 13:22 IST

Over 100 delegates from Canada, including a senior minister and two mayors will take part in

the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Kochi.

The event will be held through January 7-9.

"This is the first time Canada's Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Jason

Kenney and mayors of Brampton—popularly known as 'Mini India'—and Markham will be part

of the delegation," D P Jain, Vice-President of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC)

said.

The delegation will display emerging business opportunities in Canada, Jain added.

Minister Kenney will also be participating in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013 in Gandhinagar.

The ICCC is organising the Summit, where Canada is a partner country.

The 2013 trade mission largest ever organised by the ICCC comprises over 100 members

including several prominent dignitaries.

"Our purpose is to forge linkages between the small businesses in Canada and India. We have

lined up over 30 interactive sessions, B2B meetings, seminars, and workshops during the next

two weeks," Naval Bajaj, President of ICCC and the leader of the delegation said.

He added the mission also comprises several other prominent individuals, entrepreneurs,

professionals and community leaders.

In addition to this being the largest delegation to India, there are several other distinguishing

features to India Mission 2013.

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The mission will be visiting Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar, Delhi and

Amritsar.

http://business-standard.com/india/news/canadian-senior-minister-mayormini-india-to-attend-

pravasi-bhartiya-divas/201643/on

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Kochi

IBN News

09 January, 2013

India determined to fight against society going wrong: Khurshid

Kochi: Apparently referring to the recent Delhi gangrape incident and outpouring of public

protests, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday said India was "shaken" and

"worried", but was determined to fight the menace of the society going wrong.

"India has always believed in the principle of ethical life. Most recently something happened in

India. We are shaken and worried. Some of it will be resolved by legal steps," he said at the

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Kochi.

Addressing a session on 'Engaging Young Overseas India', Khurshid said, "What further is

required is a response from us as human beings. It was lacking in the way we responded, we

protested..."

Referring to the Delhi gangrape case, Salman Khurshid said the incident had affected every

home, town and institution in the country.

Seeking the cooperation of everyone, including media, he said the incident had affected every

home, town and institution in the country. Everyone felt hurt and was determined to fight.

"India has done a lot of things to bring women to public space. The country needs to introduce

all necessary measures so that women entering public space should not feel it as a place of

regret," he said.

His message to the diaspora was take back a message of cautious hope. "We are determined to

fight the menace - of the society going wrong," he said.

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"We mean to change things. Not everything in India is grim and dark." Never think that India

had gone back to an irreversible phase, he said, adding every society should correct its wrong

doings and every individual should reform himself.

Much as media carries India's success stories to the world, "It also periodically reports that is not

complimentary to us. We understand that. But we are willing to take the rap for going wrong."

Kurshid said there is need to reflect upon how to make Pravasi Bharatiya Divas little more

attractive to younger people. "We need to do something to make it exciting for the younger

people to come," he added.

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ajay Maken said there were

enormous opportunities for younger overseas Indians in the country due to rapid urbanisation

and the increase in the young workforce.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation KC Venugopal said the expectations of young NRIs were

manifold and highlighted the need for single window for NRI investors. Mookeshwar hoonee,

Minister of Arts and Culture, Mauritius, wanted to know if the young would connect with India

where there was red tapism, where people made millions and millions do not have food on the

table, where there is more policing and less security on streets.

If the answer is no, it calls for a new mindset and new paradigm shift as Indian cannot let go the

opportunities. Ruby Dhalla, who made history in 2000 by getting elected to Canadian

Parliament, said there should be zero tolerance for rape and said the young diaspora of Indians

wanted to join with others in the country to ensure this.

Dhalla said a global advisory council of young NRIs should be constituted by the Prime minister.

NRI entrepreneur Sant Singh Chatwal, Chairman and CEO, Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, said

45 years ago he had left India for greener pastures. But the younger generation was keen on

returning to the country.

Former Ambassador, TP Sreenivasan, also the Director General of Kerala International Centre,

said there must by a PBD for the youth. Naval Bajaj, President, Indo Canada Chamber of

Commerce, Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Director Symbiosis International University, Pune also spoke.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-determined-to-fight-against-society-going-wrong-

khurshid/314627-37-64.html

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Ahmedabad

Times of India

10 January, 2013

Human capital the new target for Vibrant Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: If Gujarat faces problems of skilled labour despite a business friendlyenvironment, this years Vibrant Gujarat summit is planned to overcome this hurdles. Thedirectorate of employment and training (DET) has signed 243 MoUs with institutions andcorporates to address the surging demand for skilled labor in various industry sectors in the state.

The MoUs were signed during the course of a special seminar, 'Youth development - IndustryResponsive Skill Development'. The MoUs were signed under categories like environment,automobile, electrical and electronics, garments, engineering, hospitality and IT soft skills.

Among the prominent MoUs that were signed during the seminar were those between GujaratState Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) and DET to establish driver training institutes totrain more than 4,000 drivers, conductors and mechanics of GSRTC. The second major MoUwas signed between Green Enviro Services Co-operative Society Limited, Gujarat PollutionControl Board (GPCB) and the DET for environmental courses. Maruti Suzuki Ltd signed anMoU with DET for adopting five ITIs in the state, which include Becharaji, Kadi, Viramgam,Detroj and Mandal.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Human-capital-the-new-target-for-Vibrant-Gujarat/articleshow/17961821.cms

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Ahmedabad

Times of India

10 January, 2013

Innovation the mother of sustainability, Narendra Modi says

AHMEDABAD: Necessity may be the mother of invention but in today's world, innovation isimportant to sustain in the market, chief minister Narendra Modi told innovators at an innovationsymposium organized by the Department of Science & Technology in the run up to the VibrantGujarat 2013 summit.

Three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed as part of the symposium to promoteresearch and innovation in the state. Oxford University's wholly-owned subsidiary IsisInnovation signed an MoU with the state government for capacity building. As most universitiesin the state have low focus on research, Isis will aim at helping universities carry out researchand innovation. Another MoU was signed by Condederation of Indian Industry to create 50 PhDfellowship students in various sectors every year. Triveni Engineering also signed an MoU withthe government to facilitate clean water projects.

The focus of the symposium was to sensitize participants to the changing scenario of the nationwith respect to innovation and how to facilitate adoption of innovations in the country soentrepreneurs and innovators of Gujarat can benefit from initiatives in this direction.

"Gujarat is the soil where seeds of innovation sown germinate into big businesses, and so GujaratGovernment should implement innovation policies for more trade ventures. Gujarat model is ametaphor for innovation to inspire," said Dr T Ramasami, secretary, Department of Science &Technology, Government of India at the symposium titled 'Innovation Symposium IncubatingIdeas till Adoption', which was held in two sessions.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Innovation-the-mother-of-sustainability-Narendra-Modi-says/articleshow/17961857.cms

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Ahmedabad

Times of India

10 January, 2013

Narendra Modi suggests global forum for sharing higher education

GANDHINAGAR: Chief Minister Narendra Modi has suggested setting up of a global forum forsharing higher education and developing partnerships between universities across the world.

Inaugurating an International Conference of Academic Institutions (ICAI) on Wednesday inGandhinagar, Modi said, "By organizing this conference, Gujarat has created an opportunity forexchange of knowledge."

Terming the world as a global village of knowledge and technological development, Modiexuded faith that such international conferences will provide a platform to the experts ofacademics and will create a bank of knowledge capital for sharing of knowledge. "Thisconference will be instrumental in preparing a road map to turn this dream into a reality," hesaid.

Judith Wolfson of the University of Toronto said that such events create forums for discussionand best practices. Leading industrialist Sanjay Lalbhai said this conference is the first of its kindin the country.

The conference is being held at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University campus as a partof Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit- 2013. Academicians from 260 top universities andacademic institutions are taking part in the event to deliberate on various aspects of knowledgesharing and mutually beneficial tie-ups.

Higher education institutes of Gujarat, state government run and international universities signedMemorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for knowledge sharing on the occasion.

Meanwhile, at another seminar on export held at National Law University, Modi released'VISION-2020' - a document on export competitiveness of Gujarat. He stressed on chalking outfuturistic export strategy that caters to demands of the future generation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Narendra-Modi-suggests-global-forum-for-sharing-higher-education/articleshow/17961862.cms

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Ahmedabad

Times of India

10 January, 2013

MSU signs 11 MoUs

VADODARA: M S University (MSU) has signed 11 MoUs at the International Conference forAcademic Institutions held as a part of Vibrant Gujarat 2013.

The MoUs signed by MSU in the first ever meet of its kind organized by a state governmentincluded those with six foreign universities from developed, developing and neighbouringcountries. More than 200 universities from India and abroad participated in this conferencewhich was held at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University in Gandhinagar on Wednesday andThursday.

MSU's international affairs director Prof Sharad Bansal said that much like universities from thewest eyeing India for potential students, that MSU had strategically targeted MoUs withuniversities in countries from where it could get a pool of students. "We worked on universitiesfrom the US, the UK, Canada, Africa, West Asia and neighbouring SAARC nations," saidBansal.

The strategy seems have worked out with the university signing MoUs with the KigaliIndependent University from Rwanda, Central University of Bhutan and North Eastern FederalUniversity from Russia from where the university can expect some students. The university alsosigned MoUs with the University of Virginia in US and the University of Central Lancashire UKeven as it finalized affairs with the University of British Columbia in Canada. tnn

The Indian education institutes with which the university signed MoUs include Indian Instituteof Technology at Gandhinagar, National Institute of Technology at Jaipur, Centre for Planningand Architecture at Bhopal and Sardar Patel University at Vallabh Vidyanagar.

The MSU has also put up a stall in the Knowledge Pavilion at the mega exhibition near theMahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The exhibition shall remain open till Sunday

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/MSU-signs-11-MoUs/articleshow/17973919.cms

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Ahmedabad

Economic Times

11 January, 2013

Canada partnering with the state government in Vibrant Gujarat Summit

NEW DELHI: Canada is partnering with the state government in the 6th global investor summit

Vibrant Gujarat and the representatives of its top companies will participate in the three-day long

deliberations, which began today.

"Canada will be a partner country at the 6th Global Investor's Summit, Vibrant Gujarat between

January 11 to 13, 2013 in Gujarat," Canada said in a statement.

As a partner country, Canada will highlight its growing importance as a commercial partner of

choice for India, and promote Canada as an increasingly attractive destination for Indian

investors, the statement added.

Canada's business delegation to Vibrant Gujarat includes senior representatives from the energy,

oil and gas, education, infrastructure, clean technology, information and communications

technologies and financial services sectors.

"The summit will provide a platform for Canadian businesses to engage with their Indian

counterparts in an effort to build new, and strengthen existing, partnerships," the statement

added.

Participation at Vibrant Gujarat follows the recent trip to India by Canada's Prime

Minister, Stephen Harper during which both Prime Minister Harper and Prime

Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated their commitment to increase trade between Canada and

India.

Both the countries have expressed their commitment to increase annual bilateral trade to $ 15

billion by 2015.

"Canada's participation at Vibrant Gujarat 2013 highlights Canada's advantages as a partner for

India and the possibilities for strengthening business relationships between our two countries,"

Canada's High Commissioner to India Stewart Beck said.

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He said both the countries are working towards comprehensive economic partnership agreement

(CEPA), which will boost trade and investment and in create jobs.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-01-11/news/36279950_1_canada-and-india-

prime-minister-harper-vibrant-gujarat

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Ahmedabad

Indian Express

11 January, 2013

Canada partner country at Vibrant Gujarat

With India and Canada working towards increasing annual bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2015,

Canada will be a partner country at the 6th Global Investor's Summit, Vibrant Gujarat from

January 11-13, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

As a partner country, Canada will highlight its growing importance as a commercial partner of

choice for India, and promote Canada as an increasingly attractive destination for Indian

investors.

Canada's business delegation to Vibrant Gujarat includes senior representatives from top

Canadian companies from the energy, oil and gas, education, infrastructure, clean technology,

information and communications technologies (ICT), and financial services sectors. As well, the

provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan, along with

representative of Export Development Canada, Canada's export credit agency, will also

participate Canadian parliamentarians and Mayors of the City of Brampton and Markham are

also attending the Summit.

According to the officials at High Commission of Canada, here, "Vibrant Gujarat will provide a

platform for Canadian businesses to engage with their Indian counterparts in an effort to build

new, and strengthen existing, partnerships."

Canada's Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney will address

delegates at Vibrant Gujarat. "Canada's growing trade with India is fuelled by our strong people-

to-people ties", said Minister Jason Kenney.

Participation at Vibrant Gujarat follows the recent trip to India by Canada's Prime Minister

Stephen Harper during which both Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

reiterated their commitment to increase trade between Canada and India.

On the eve of Vibrant Gujarat, Canada 's High Commissioner to India, Stewart Beck noted,

"Leaders of both sides have expressed their commitment to increase annual bilateral trade to $15

billion by 2015. Canada's participation at Vibrant Gujarat 2013 highlights Canada's advantages

India Mission 2013Media Coverage

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as a partner for India and the possibilities for strengthening business relationships between our

two countries."

Both countries are taking concrete steps to increase trade and investment between the two

countries.

With this in mind, Beck added, "Both countries continue making progress in negotiations toward

a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA). Once in place, a CEPA would play

an important role in boosting trade and investment and in creating more jobs and increasing

prosperity for Canadians and Indians alike."

Canada will have an official Pavilion at the Gujarat Global Trade Show which is open to

business delegates and will hold a country seminar highlighting Canada as a preferred business

destination and participate in a business and investment seminar organised in collaboration with

the Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University.

Canadian delegates will also participate in the International Conference for Academic

Institutions, the Innovation Convention and the Technology Convention and Canada will have a

dedicated pavilion to Education in addition to the country pavilion at the Global Trade Show.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/canada-partner-country-at-vibrant-gujarat/1058035/0

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Gandhinagar

INDIAREALTIME

January 12, 2013

Gujarat: The Expat Connection

By Prasenjit Bhattacharya

Sam Panthaky/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

National flags of various countries in the premises of Vibrant Gujarat 2013 in Gandhinagar,

Gujarat, Jan. 11.

Where do most Gujaratis outside India live? If you ask the British High Commissioner to India,

Sir James Bevan, he will say Leicester.

“The city of Leicester is the city where I was born. So I feel in a very real sense that I too am in

some way a son of Gujarat,” he said Saturday in a speech at the inaugural ceremony of the

Vibrant Gujarat business summit.

U.S., Canadian and British diplomats, politicians and businessmen attending the event often

draw attention to the substantial population of Gujarati expats in their countries, as they make a

case for greater bilateral trade with one of India’s fastest growing state economies.

“Many Gujarati companies have successful operations in the U.K., in areas like renewable

energy, engineering and pharmaceuticals. Several others have their European HQs there. And

more and more Gujarati investment is coming to Britain,” said Mr. Bevan.

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Gujaratis, like Punjabis, have been migrating to Western countries for several decades now, with

many of them successfully setting up businesses there. In the U.S. and Canada, for Instance,

Gujaratis are now synonymous with the motel industry.

These Gujaratis – and the Indian diaspora more broadly – have been a key link between

businesses in the West and in India, often returning to their country of origin as heads of

overseas companies, or getting Indian companies to invest overseas.

Ron Somers, president of the U.S.-India Business Council, estimated that half of the three

million Indians living in the U.S. are Gujaratis. “Wherever Gujaratis go, they succeed,” he said at

the conference.

Raymond E. Vickery Jr., senior director with the Albright Stonebridge group, a U.S.-based

consulting firm, told India Real Time he believes that Indian expats in the U.S. were key to the

civil nuclear deal signed by the two countries in 2008.

The deal allowed U.S. companies to invest in India’s nuclear power generation sector and also

opened the doors for India to get technology and nuclear fuel from other international suppliers.

Mr. Vickery was previously with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Vickery, who often

consults for natural gas companies, said the Gujarati expat community is spurring U.S.

investment into Gujarat, “and I think it’s going to increase,” he added.

And Gujaratis in particularly have made their presence felt. “You walk into a hotel and could the

owner could be a Patel,” he said.

But at the Vibrant Gujarat, it’s Canada that had the largest delegation, with a few members of

Parliament and their minister for immigration Jason Keeney in attendance. At a seminar on

Canada-Gujarat ties, Mr. Keeney gamely shook hands with the many Gujaratis thrusting him

business cards and pitching business ideas, while posing for pictures.

Around a third of Indians settled in Canada are Gujaratis, Canadian MP Patrick Brown said in

his speech at the summit.

“In Canada, the Gujaratis are not just successful entrepreneurs but also politically involved,”

Canada’s High Commissioner to India Stewart Beck told India Real Time. He said the large

population of Gujaratis settled in Canada helped push both Canadian investment in the state and

vice versa.

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26

As an example, Naval Bajaj, head of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, said 80% of

Canada’s rough diamonds come to Gujarat for polishing. Gujarat is famous for its diamonds.

“These diamonds now come in via Europe. If the two countries can trade in diamonds directly,

that would be fantastic,” he said.

The Canadian who was turning the most heads at the conference was the mayor of Canada’s

Markham town Frank Scarpitti.

“90% of the business delegates we have brought to the Vibrant Gujarat summit are expat Indians,

who tell their story of [what it's like] to do business and live in Canada,” he said, adding his

advice to Mr. Kenney is to keep issuing visas for Indians.

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/01/12/gujarat-the-expat-connection/

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Gandhinagar

NITI CENTRAL

12 January, 2013

Canada, Gujarat join hands for education, clean technology

By Niti Central Staff

Canada is partnering with the Gujarat Government in the 6th global investor summit Vibrant

Gujarat and the representatives of its top companies will participate in the three-day long

deliberations, which began on Friday.

As a partner country, Canada will highlight its growing importance as a commercial partner of

choice for India, and promote Canada as an increasingly attractive destination for Indian

investors, the statement added. Canada’s business delegation to Vibrant Gujarat includes senior

representatives from the energy, oil and gas, education, infrastructure, clean technology,

information and communications technologies and financial services sectors.

“The summit will provide a platform for Canadian businesses to engage with their Indian

counterparts in an effort to build new, and strengthen existing, partnerships,” the statement

added.

Recently, Gujarat State Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd (GSFC) acquired nearly 20 per cent stake for

Rs 250 crore ($45.6 million or) in Karnalyte Resources Inc. a Canada based potash company.

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Participation at Vibrant Gujarat follows the recent trip to India by Canada’s Prime Minister,

Stephen Harper during which both Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

reiterated their commitment to increase trade between Canada and India. Both countries have

expressed their commitment to increase annual bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2015.

“Canada’s participation at Vibrant Gujarat 2013 highlights Canada’s advantages as a partner for

India and the possibilities for strengthening business relationships between our two countries,”

Canada’s High Commissioner to India Stewart Beck said. He said both the countries are working

towards comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), which will boost trade and

investment and in create jobs.

http://www.niticentral.com/2013/01/canada-gujarat-join-hands-for-education-infrastructure-

clean-technology.html

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Gandhinagar

Economic Times

13 January, 2013

Gujarati entrepreneurs fuelling growth in Canada

("Canada has identified…)

GANDHINAGAR: Canada has identified Gujarat as its fastest growing immigration source from

India. The country's minister for citizenship, immigration and multi-culturism Jason Kenney said

here on Saturday that Gujaratis with their entrepreneurial skills are fuelling the Canadian growth.

Canada is one of the partner countries for the ongoing summit.

He was addressing a seminar on "Canada-Gujarat Business and Trade Opportunities" as a part of

the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat summit. Pointing that Gujaratis have acquired a large number of

hotels in the country, Kenney said, "They have absolutely tenacious work ethics."

The minister said that both Canada and Gujarat have a lot to gain by coming together in the field

of business and investment. He pointed that Canada aims to be an important supplier of uranium

for India's civil nuclear programme. The two countries had entered into a nuclear pact in 2010.

Gujarat's minister for energy and petrochemicals Saurabh Patel said that Canada is a natural

choice for a partnership for Gujarat. Pointing to Gujarat being a nerve centre of energy

investments, he said, "We need economically priced gas that is de-linked from the crude oil

prices."

The key areas identified were energy, natural gas, fertilizer manufacturing, mining of potash etc.

Naval Bajaj of Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce said, "Canada is one of the biggest

producers of rough diamonds while India is the largest importer."

FROZEN DHOKLAS SOON

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The staple Gujarati snack of Dhokla would soon be available in its frozen avtaar. McCain Foods

(India) Private Limited is right now having trials in frozen Dhokla and it aims to market the

snack very soon. The company's attempt at Dhokla follows the success achieved with the south

Indian snack of Idli Sambhar. "We thought that if we could achieve to market Idli Sambhar in

south India we have definitely achieved something. Now the trials are on for Dhokla," said Vikas

Mittal, managing director of the company while speaking at a seminar on "Canada - Gujarat

Business and Trade Opportunities" at the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat summit here on Saturday.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-01-13/news/36311460_1_vibrant-gujarat-

summit-dhokla-indo-canada-chamber

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Ahmedabad

Economic Times

14 January, 2013

Vibrant Gujarat 2013: Narendra Modi looks at youth as agents of ‘change’14 Jan, 13

Gujarat chief minister may have used the platform to further establish his stature as a nationalleader and a prime ministerial candidate for the next general elections

AHMEDABAD | NEW DELHI: The 2013 Vibrant Gujarat summit ended on Sundaywithout India Inc making any big ticket announcements or explicitly backing NarendraModi as the next prime minister of India, butthe Gujarat chief minister may have used theplatform to further establish his stature as a national leader and a prime ministerial candidate forthe next general elections.

In addition to the support from top industrialists such as Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani, AdiGodrej and Anand Mahindra, who shared the dais with him, the biennial event organised toshowcase the state as a global investment hotspot also armed Mr Modi, fresh from a landslidevictory in the state elections last month, with a much-needed backing from the rest of the world."It (the summit) added to the enigma that Modi is," says Delhi-based political analyst SwapanDasgupta. It is a very Gujarat-centric event, but there is a political bearing since the rest of thecountry gets to know that a development-model like Gujarat could work outside too.

"And there is certainly a scope to derive some political dividend from it on a national level," hesays. Dasgupta draws attention to the fact that this year the event marked an end to Mr Modi'sdiplomatic isolation. Canada and Japan were summit partners and delegates from the US and UKheaped praise on Mr Modi.

In the aftermath of the riots, the US had refused him a visa, and the UK had severed diplomaticties. But over the last decade, Gujarat has emerged as an investment hotspot, and countries aregame to do business. In October last year, just ahead of the state elections, British deputy foreign

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32

minister Hugo Swire spoke of normalising ties with Gujarat. The US government has beennoncommittal. But Ron Somers, an American businessman and president of the US-IndiaBusiness Council, spent time in Gandhinagar with Mr Modi and congratulated him for theprogress the state has made. The prime minister of Canada had sent a special message to MrModi and Japan's vice minister for international affairs Nobuhiko Sasaki led a 100-strongdelegation to Gandhinagar. Ahmedabad-based analyst Sunil Parekh, who is a Founding Curator,Hub of Global Shapers at the World Economic Forum, says that the presence of a strong force offoreign delegates indicates preparedness of the developed world to deal with the man, who theyfeel, will play a decisive role in the future. Canada, for instance, has not ever sent a 200-strongdelegation for any international conference as they have done here. Even CII's and FICCI'snational conferences do not have such attendance. UK India Business Council (UKIBC)chair Patricia Hewitt, who served in Tony Blair's Cabinet from 2001 to 2007, was around for theentire summit. "This helps Modi's case," he says.

The accolades have, however, drawn sharp reactions from the Congress, which leads the rulingalliance in Delhi. Cabinet minister and the Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwary, equated suchadulations to the Nazi rule. "In the decade of '30s, the German corporate sector had a similarfascination with a gentleman who was at the helm of affairs there. The implications for the worldat large were disastrous... I think even corporate India would be well-served to draw lessons.Wise people do learn from history," he said.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/vibrant-gujarat-2013-narendra-

modi-looks-at-youth-as-agents-of-change/articleshow/18013710.cms

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Ahmedabad

Steel Guru

15 January, 2013

Canadian business delegation to Vibrant Gujarat

Indian Express reported that with India and Canada working towards increasing annual bilateral

trade to USD 15 billion by 2015, Canada will be a partner country at the 6th Global Investor's

Summit, Vibrant Gujarat from January 11th to 13th, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

As a partner country, Canada will highlight its growing importance as a commercial partner of

choice for India and promote Canada as an increasingly attractive destination for Indian

investors.

Canada's business delegation to Vibrant Gujarat includes senior representatives from top

Canadian companies from the energy, oil and gas, education, infrastructure, clean technology,

information and communications technologies and financial services sectors. As well, the

provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan, along with

representative of Export Development Canada, Canada's export credit agency, will also

participate Canadian parliamentarians and Mayors of the City of Brampton and Markham are

also attending the Summit.

According to the officials at High Commission of Canada, "Vibrant Gujarat will provide a

platform for Canadian businesses to engage with their Indian counterparts in an effort to build

new and strengthen existing, partnerships."

Mr Jason Kenney, Canada's Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister, will

address delegates at Vibrant Gujarat. Canada's growing trade with India is fuelled by our strong

people-to-people ties.

Participation at Vibrant Gujarat follows the recent trip to India by Canada's Prime Minister Mr

Stephen Harper during which both Prime Minister Mr Harper and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan

Singh reiterated their commitment to increase trade between Canada and India.

On the eve of Vibrant Gujarat, Canada 's High Commissioner to India, Stewart Beck noted,

leaders of both sides have expressed their commitment to increase annual bilateral trade to USD

15 billion by 2015. Canada's participation at Vibrant Gujarat 2013 highlights Canada's

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34

advantages as a partner for India and the possibilities for strengthening business relationships

between our two countries.

Both countries are taking concrete steps to increase trade and investment between the two

countries.

Canada will have an official Pavilion at the Gujarat Global Trade Show which is open to

business delegates and will hold a country seminar highlighting Canada as a preferred business

destination and participate in a business and investment seminar organised in collaboration with

the Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University.

Source - www.indianexpress.com

http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/Canadian_business_delegation_to_Vibrant_Gujarat/2981

46.html

India Mission 2013Media Coverage

35

New Delhi

Deccan Herald

14 January, 2013

Seventh round of India-Canada FTA talks likely in Feb

In a bid to fast track talks for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), India and Canada are

likely to hold the seventh round of negotiations in February in New Delhi, a Canadian envoy said

today.

"Canada wants an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with

India. The seventh round of (FTA) negotiations is happening in February in New Delhi,"

Canadian High Commissioner in India Stewart Beck said here.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function jointly organised by industry chamber

CII and Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce.

"I think there is will at both the sides to conclude the proposed pact partly because we think it is

an important thing to do and also the Prime Ministers (of India and Canada) have committed to

do it by end of 2013," Beck said.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper, in

November 2012, reaffirmed their desire to conclude the proposed pact by the end of 2013.

Besides, both the leaders reiterated their shared desire to see bilateral trade reach USD 15 billion

by 2015.

At present, the two-way trade is over USD 5 billion.The negotiations for pact, which is officially

dubbed as Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), was launched by both the

countries in November 2010 to further boost bilateral trade and investment.

Beck said: "We want one (pact) that is going to give the maximum movement of people from

Indian perspective. We want the one which gives the best rates possible for Canadian goods

coming into this market."

The FTA is aimed at slashing or eliminating duties on maximum number of products traded

India Mission 2013Media Coverage

36

between the two countries, besides opening the services sector and facilitating investment

proposals.

As per a joint study group report, both countries will benefit from the CEPA. According to the

report, India and Canada's GDP are likely to get benefits in the range of USD 6 billion and USD

15 billion per year, respectively from the trade pact.

Canada primarily exports vegetables, fertilisers, machinery and wood pulp, while its main

imports from India are organic chemicals, knit and woven apparel, precious stones and metals,

electronics and machinery.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/305215/seventh-round-india-canada-fta.html

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New Delhi

Vancouver Desi

16 January, 2013

ECONOMIC TIES: India, Canada likely to ink trade pact by year-end

Naval Bajaj, president of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, is leading the delegation to

India. Submitted photo

New Delhi, Jan 17 (IANS) India and Canada are likely to sign a comprehensive economic

partnership agreement (CEPA) by the end of this year that could raise bilateral trade to $15

billion in two years and substantially boost two-way investments.

“We are hopeful that the agreement will be signed by the end of this year. It will give a big boost

to bilateral trade and investment,” Naval Bajaj, president of the Indo-Canada Chamber of

Commerce, told IANS.

Bajaj, who was here leading the largest ever trade delegation of Canada’s small and medium

firms as part of the India Trade Mission, said the two countries have made a lot of progress on

the proposed CEPA negotiations.

“We are hoping that the tariffs would come down substantially once the agreement is signed. It

will help increase bilateral trade to $15 billion in a few years from now,” Bajaj said.

India Mission 2013Media Coverage

38

Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Canada increased 23.4 percent to 5.2 billion

Canadian dollars in 2011, according to the latest figures available with Statistics Canada. The

trade is fairly balanced. India’s export to Canada was $2.5 billion, while import was $2.6 billion

in 2011.

During his visit to Canada in June 2010, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had set a target to

increase bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2015.

Bajaj said the bilateral trade would reach $15 billion in two years if the CEPA was signed.

India and Canada launched the CEPA negotiations in November 2010. According to a joint

working group report, the CEPA deal would boost Indian gross domestic product by $6 billion,

while the benefit to the Canadian economy would be around $15 billion.

Canadian High Commissioner Stewart Beck said the seventh round of negotiations for the

proposed deal would be held in New Delhi next month. Beck said both sides have the “will” to

conclude a comprehensive deal as early as possible.

Bajaj, who became president of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce last year, said the

chamber had been pushing for early conclusion of the deal. “We are collecting feedback from the

businesses of both the countries and will request the negotiators to address the issues affecting

the business community” he said.

A nearly 100-member business delegation led by Bajaj visited major Indian cities including

Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Amritsar from Jan 2 to 16.

“We have had fruitful visits. So many business-to-business meetings were held. I hope many of

them will result in joint ventures and partnership agreements,” Bajaj said.

He however declined to specify the companies that are likely to enter into the deals.

Nearly a million people of Indian origin and non-resident Indians live in Canada, almost half of

them are Sikhs and 40 percent Hindus.

http://www.vancouverdesi.com/business/india-canada-likely-to-ink-trade-pact-by-

yearend/456069/

India Mission 2013Media Coverage

39

New Delhi

Weekly Voice

19 January, 2013

India, Canada May Ink Trade Pact By Yearend

New Delhi: India and Canada are likely to sign a comprehensive economic partnership

agreement (CEPA) by the end of this year that could raise bilateral trade to $15 billion in two

years and substantially boost two-way investments.

“We are hopeful that the agreement will be signed by the end of this year. It will give a big boost

to bilateral trade and investment,” Naval Bajaj, president of the Indo-Canada Chamber of

Commerce said.

Bajaj, who was here leading the largest ever trade delegation of Canada’s small and medium

firms as part of the India Trade Mission, said the two countries have made a lot of progress on

the proposed CEPA negotiations. “We are hoping that the tariffs would come down substantially

once the agreement is signed. It will help increase bilateral trade to $15 billion in a few years

from now,” Bajaj said.

Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Canada increased 23.4 percent to 5.2 billion

Canadian dollars in 2011, according to the latest figures available with Statistics Canada. The

trade is fairly balanced. India’s export to Canada was $2.5 billion, while import was $2.6 billion

in 2011.

During his visit to Canada in June 2010, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had set a target to

increase bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2015.

Bajaj said the bilateral trade would reach $15 billion in two years if the CEPA was signed.

India and Canada launched the CEPA negotiations in November 2010. According to a joint

India Mission 2013Media Coverage

40

working group report, the CEPA deal would boost Indian gross domestic product by $6 billion,

while the benefit to the Canadian economy would be around $15 billion.

Canadian High Commissioner Stewart Beck said the seventh round of negotiations for the

proposed deal would be held in New Delhi next month. Beck said both sides have the “will” to

conclude a comprehensive deal as early as possible.

Bajaj, who became president of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce last year, said the

chamber had been pushing for early conclusion of the deal. “We are collecting feedback from the

businesses of both the countries and will request the negotiators to address the issues affecting

the business community” he said.

A nearly 100-member business delegation led by Bajaj visited major Indian cities including

Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Amritsar from Jan 2 to 16. “We have

had fruitful visits. So many business-to-business meetings were held. I hope many of them will

result in joint ventures and partnership agreements,” Bajaj said.

He however declined to specify the companies that are likely to enter into the deals. Nearly a

million people of Indian origin and non-resident Indians live in Canada, almost half of them are

Sikhs and 40 percent Hindus.

http://www.weeklyvoice.com/headlines/india-canada-may-ink-trade-pact-by-yearend/

India Mission 2013Media Coverage

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New Delhi

Weekly Voice

19 January, 2013

Fennell Promotes Brampton To Indian Businesses

New Delhi/Brampton: “We’re here in Delhi to strengthen relations and to meet with senior

government officials and entrepreneurs to discuss the unrivalled benefits of investing, doing

business and working in Brampton,” said Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell during the final stretch

of an extensive 15-day trade mission to India.

Joining Fennell during the trade mission are representatives from Brampton’s Economic

Development Office. The delegation, also held meetings in Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi and

Ahmedabad.

“Stronger relations with India are crucial to Brampton, Ontario and Canada’s future,” Fennell

said during a business-to-business networking session titled the Future Agenda for India-Canada

Partnership: Unlocking its full potential.

The session, designed to strengthen relations between Canada and India, was co-hosted by the

Indo-Canadian Business Chamber, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Indo-Canada

Chamber of Commerce. Speakers included Stewart Beck, High Commissioner of Canada to

India.

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Fennell shared with participants that “India offers a wealth of opportunities for Brampton

businesses to sell goods and services to. Brampton’s economy is connected by 400-series

highways, reliable roads and mass transit.”

Fennell concluded “Brampton’s strategic location in the heart of North America, minutes from

Toronto Pearson International, Canada’s largest airport, makes us an ideal place to start a

business, expand service offerings and stay ahead of the competition.”

http://www.weeklyvoice.com/community-news/fennell-promotes-brampton-to-indian-

businesses/

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Amritsar

The Tribune

16 January, 2013

Indo-Canada chamber explores new trade avenues

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 15

A 22-member delegation of Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), based at Brampton,

led by its president Naval Bajaj, today interacted with prominent industrialists, traders and

developers of the city to explore new trade avenues.

The ICCC, founded in 1977, is a not-for-profit, sponsor-funded business and diaspora

organisation.

Accompanying the visiting delegation was the Mayor of Brampton city, Susan Dorothy Fennell.

Addressing officials and councillors of the Municipal Corporation (MC) she said, “Today

Brampton has come home of the Punjab. Bilateral trade between India and Canada is growing

well and the importance Canada attaches to India could be gauged from the fact that Prime

Minister Stephen Harper recently visited India.” She added that goal was to establish bond with

the business and with the families here. “The Punjabi community in Canada is known for its

family values and team work and her aim is to build on these bonds,” she said.

India Mission 2013Media Coverage

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She said her city offered expertise in manufacturing sectors like IT tools, logistics, food

processing technology and many more. She said the city had actually hosted the IFA award

ceremony last year and named a street after late Bollywood star Raj Kapoor. She said a brand

new kabaddi stadium was added to the sports infrastructure of the city, which included a field

hockey stadium, a cricket stadium.

The ICCC president said the delegation had left from Toronto on January 3 and completed its

final leg today and they already visited Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar

and Delhi.

They also participated in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2013 in Kochi.

He emphasised the need to engage the youth from the Indian diaspora and said it “stands to

reason that for the Indian diaspora to play an effective role for building partnerships between

host countries and India, they have to integrate well into the societies of host countries. Greater

civic engagement of members of the Indian diaspora with mainstream societies of host countries

may bring substantial benefits to India."

He added that the aim was to forge linkages between the small businesses in Canada and India,

and they attended over 30 interactive sessions, B2B meetings, seminars and workshops during

their two-week stay in India.

He said Punjab was a predominantly agrarian economy and it needed technology to add value to

its produce. He said here Brampton city and its businessmen could chip in as they had got the

state-of-the-art technology.

Host city Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora welcomed the delegation and extended full cooperation. He

asked the members of the delegation to explore business and trade opportunities being offered in

the holy city. Establishing biz bond

A 22-member delegation of Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), based at

Brampton, interacted with prominent industrialists, traders and developers of the city

Mayor of Brampton city, Susan Dorothy Fennell said the goal was to establish bond with

the business and with the families here

Amritsar Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora asked the members of the delegation to explore

business and trade opportunities being offered in the holy city

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130116/asrtrib.htm#4