Upcoming events

  • No upcoming events

Follow Us

Menu
Log in

Log in

News 

  • 05 Jan 2016 3:03 PM | Anonymous

    ICCC signs MoU with Uttar Pradesh 

    India Mission 2016 commences  
     
     ICCC is Partner Organization at Uttar Pradesh Pravasi Divas

     President Sanjay Makkar among the keynote speakers
     
     
     ICCC India Mission delegates welcomed at the Uttar Pradesh Pravasi Divas in Agra

    Toronto: Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) launched its eight-city India Mission 2015 on Monday January 4, 2016,and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttar Pradesh Government on the first day in Agra. The 2016 trade mission is a sector-focused one. The Chamber is participating in the Uttar Pradesh Pravasi Divas as a partner organisation.

    “Our focus is to take the business relations to the next level in the light of Indian government’s initiative of ‘Make in India’ and develop linkages between the small businesses in Canada and India. ICCC has lined up interactive sessions, B2B meetings, seminars, and workshops during the next two weeks,” Sanjay Makkar, President of ICCC and the leader of the delegation said.

          
     ICCC President with UP Chief Minister    ICCC President signing the MoU

    The two-week India Mission 2015 commences on January 4, and concludes on January 16. The mission will be visiting Agra, Amritsar, Delhi, Thiruvanthapuram, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Mumbai. The highlights of the Mission are participation in the UP Pravasi Divas (UPPD) in Agra. 

    ICCC President Sanjay Makkar is one of the key speakers at the UP Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Agra. He will be participating in the Plenary Session. The event is also being supported by top industry organisations. Some high-profile names like Indian-American CEO of Infosys Vishal Sikka, entrepreneur Frank Islam, film maker Sanjay Khan would be among the other noted speakers at the event.

    The Uttar Pradesh government would also be announcing the setting up of an NRI Corporation with regional centres in Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Kanpur and Noida besides Lucknow to deal with NRI and PIO-related activities. A Migrant Resource Centre for placements.

    Some the highlights of UPPD are sharing of investment plans and policies in Uttar Pradesh on sectors like, manufacturing, infrastructure development, urban transports, smart cities, industrial and social development, electronics, IT and ITeS and tourism etc., appraising steps taken for “Ease of doing business” initiatives by Government of Uttar Pradesh pertaining to industrial development and setting-up of your business, exchange of views of Indian diaspora(s) for developing Uttar Pradesh as a smart State and others.


  • 05 Jan 2016 11:14 AM | Anonymous

    Historic milestones of India Mission 2016

     Pathbreaking MoUs signed to foster deeper, more meaningful trade & commerce
     
     ICCC President Sanjay Makkar signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
    with Shri Sanjeev Saran (IAS), Principal Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh
    Sanjay Makkar, President, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), utilized the eight-city India trade Mission 2016 that concluded last month to forge new ties with state (provincial) governments, trade and business chambers, and encouraged delegate members to similarly ink business deals during the two weeks in India.

    Among the important Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) that Mr. Makkar signed on behalf of the ICCC include one with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and another with the Thiruvananthapuram Chamber of Commerce.

    The MoU with Uttar Pradesh has special significance because it will promote trade between Canada and Uttar Pradesh, one India's provinces with the largest populations, and a positive demographic profile with a predominance of young population. Uttar Pradesh was an important stop for the 2016 India Mission, where the delegates participated in the three-day inaugural Pravasi Divas (congregation of Indian Diaspora) organized by the Uttar Pradesh government in Agra. ICCC was a partner organization for this convention.

    The UP PD was organized to share investment plans and policies in Uttar Pradesh on sectors like manufacturing, infrastructure development, urban transports, smart cities, industrial and social development, electronics, IT and ITeS and tourism etc. The convention provided a meaningful platform for the Uttar Pradesh government to

    • Exchange views with the Indian diaspora to develop Uttar Pradesh as a smart state
    • Appraise the Indian diaspora of the ‘Ease of doing business’ initiatives undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh, especially pertaining to industrial development, and setting-up business

    ICCC’s MoU with the Thiruvananthapuram Chamber of Commerce will aim to promote trade and business ties with the State of Kerala with Canada in the hospitality & tourism sector, pharmaceuticals, Agriculture and Agro Industry.

    Thanks to ICCC’s efforts in general, and Mr. Makkar’s efforts in particular, three vital MoUs were signed by the delegate members of the India Mission 2016. These include:

    • ICE Down Beverages Inc.’s MoU with Indo Canadian Business Council to manufacture Canadian water (Aqua Water) in Gujarat. This MoUs was signed between the representative of ICE Down Beverages Inc.’s CEO Elmokhtar Abouaisha and a representative of the ICBC.
    • SPS Canada’s MoU with Royal Academy of Gujarat for the cooperation in education sector, student services, skill development, student exchange program and immigration of Indian student to pursue higher education in Canada.  Mr. Pradyuman Jhala, President SPS Canada signed MoU.
    • Another delegate signed a MoU with the Santhigiri Ashram in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala for sharing the knowledge on Ayurveda and Yoga for drug abuse and rehabilitation. Santhigiri Ashram is a world-renowned spiritual center founded in 1964. Exhorting its followers to lead a life at peace with God and Nature, the ashram promotes transcendental spiritual values and secular ideals like universal love, world peace and religious harmony. The ashram is providing eye care treatment and helping the people with Ayurveda and Yoga to lead a good health.

    In another development, the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD) Founder Director has shown interest for shooting a documentary film on Gujarat-Canada relations. ICECD has been the vanguard of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development amongst varying target groups and has worked extensively around the globe keeping gender issues in sharp focus.

       
     ICCC President Sanjay Makkar signing a MoU with 
    Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce & Industry
     CEO of ICE Down Beverages Inc. Mr. Elmokhtar signing a MoU
    with Mr. Mukund Purohit 


  • 14 Dec 2015 10:31 AM | Anonymous
    Click here to access the newsletter: ICCC December 2015 E-newsletter


  • 11 Dec 2015 6:30 PM | Anonymous

    ICCC's Mentoring Program 

    Successful launch of seventh round 
     
    Mentors and Mentees in the seventh round of ICCC's Mentoring Program 

    Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) launched its seventh round of mentoring program in early December at its global headquarters in Toronto. The program’s primary objective is to assist newcomers from India settle faster and better in Canada. It achieves this objective by helping internationally-trained newcomers from India connect with Canadians of Indian origin who are successful entrepreneurs and professionals.

    More than a hundred mentees have successfully participated in ICCC’s mentoring initiative over the past five years. A total of 37 mentees registered for the seventh round of the program. The preceding six sessions held between 2010 and 2014 were successful in integrating of nearly 90% of the participating mentees into the job market. These modules witnessed participation from different sectors such as aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, marketing & communications, banking & finance, digital media; import-export business, insurance, investment, IT, and legal services.

    Ajay Tandon, ICCC’s Director for Tourism and Hospitality, and Affinity Programs, welcomed the new batch of mentees and introduced them to the Chamber’s operations. He explained that the mentoring program aims to enable newcomers to build useful networks and familiarize them with Canadian work culture that assists them to integrate swiftly into the Canadian work culture. “We don’t provide jobs, but we train you to get one sooner, and once you get it, our training ensures that you are culturally attuned to retain it,” Mr. Tandon said.

    Avin Mehra, the Chair of ICCC’s Mentoring Committee, during his presentation emphasized the methodologies used by the Chamber in the mentoring program were aimed at inculcating the right attitude amongst the mentees. “It is not that newcomers lack qualifications, it is just that they lack an understanding of Canadian work culture. And we aim to equip all the mentees with different vignettes of Canadian work culture.”

    He further said, during the program, the mentors provide mentees with career and settlement guidance, which includes:

    • Developing professional networks
    • Evolving targeted job search strategies
    • Enhancing understanding of Canadian workplace culture
    • Strengthen knowledge of community resources and linkages to settlement services
    • Skills development
    • Imparting awareness about job search, language and literacy programs available to newcomers

    The program is intended to benefit the mentees in the following areas:

    • Increase their self-knowledge and awareness
    • Obtain strategic tools for ongoing career development and success
    • Enhance communication skills
    • Develop professional etiquette
    • Identify talents needed in the Canadian workplace
    • Build networks for work and career success
    • Find employment in their field of expertise

    The program equally benefits the mentors to optimize their coaching and mentoring skills, build leadership excellence, dialogue with and learn from the experiences of internationally trained people, share knowledge and wisdom and explore new ideas and perspectives about their profession.

       
     Participants at the Mentoring Program launch Participants at the Mentoring Program launch

    For more photos please click here


  • 27 Nov 2015 6:30 PM | Anonymous

    ICCC Winter Gala sets record for VIP participation 

    Unprecedented success of Holiday Dinner & Dance 

     

     

     ICCC Board of Directors with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Amrit Mangat, MPP

     

     

     VIP Guests with ICCC Board

     

     L to R: Amrit Mangat, Kathleen Wynne, Vishnu Prakash
    & Sanjay Makkar

     

     

     

     

     

     Minister Bardish Chagger with Sanjay Makkar, Vishnu Prakash, Arun Srivastava and others

     

    Sanjay Makkar with Minister Michael Chan 

     

     

     

     

     VIP Guests with Mr. & Mrs. Makkar

     

     Mayors of Mississauga & Brampton with ICCC President

     

     

     

     

     

     

     L to R: Aditya Jha, Monika Makkar, Patrick Brown,
    Ajit Khanna & Sanjay Makkar

     

    VIP Guests with ICCC President 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     Fun & Frolic at the Winter Gala

     

    Dinner, Decor & Dance at the Winter Gala 

     

     

     

    A veritable who’s who of the Canadian mainstream from the corporate world, and the government made a beeline to Brampton’s Pearson Convention Centre Friday evening as the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) celebrated its Annual Winter Gala.

    In attendance were decision makers from all levels of the government including Hon. Bardish Chagger, Canada’s Minister for Small Business and Tourism; His Excellency, Vishnu Prakash, High Commissioner of India in Ottawa; Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario; Hon. Patrick Brown, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada; Her Worship Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga; Her Worship Linda Jeffery, Mayor of Brampton; Hon. Michael  Chan, Ontario Minister of citizenship, immigration and international trade; several federal MPs,  Provincial MPPs, and Councillors from Mississauga and Brampton.

    It was an evening to remember, as the VIPs of the Indo-Canadian community, adorning traditional colourful attire and formal business dresses mingled at the venue to enjoy sumptuous cuisines from different corners of India, and entertainment that depicted the wonder that is India. The theme of the Annual Winter Gala 2015 was Travel. Explore. Discover. The décor of the venue was in consonance with the theme.

    The guests included senior executives from sectors such as financial, legal, banking, travel and tourism, and manufacturing. Community leaders, veteran members of the Chamber, and several past presidents and past directors of the Chamber also participated in the gala with unprecedented enthusiasm.

    Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Winter Gala, popularly known as Holiday Dinner & Dance is one of the Chamber’s marquee events, and also one of the most popular Indo-Canadian community event in the Greater Toronto Area. The event is attended by large number of guests including members, sponsors, stakeholders, friends of the community, professionals, entrepreneurs, senior representative of corporations, government officials, political leaders, and opinion makers. The program comprises a blend of theme-based entertainment, spectacular songs and dance sequences and sumptuous culinary delights. 

    Sanjay Makkar, President, ICCC, while thanking the large gathering for participating in the Winter Gala, emphasized that the occasion was not for speeches, and said the gala was another affirmation by his new team that the Chamber had returned to meet its basic objectives and mandate.

    Addressing the sponsors of the Chamber, the ICCC President urged them to stay connected with the Chamber. “Look at our track record, look at our achievements, and look at our commitment. You will know that you are connected to an organization that believes in value-based deliverables,” he said, adding, “Help us get more sponsors like you.”

    He invited the Chamber’s Past Presidents to come forward and help the Chamber go to another level in its effort to grow and expand. “If the Chamber gave an additional dimension to your persona, the best manner to give back to the institution is to contribute fresh ideas,” Makkar said. Then, turning to the Chamber’s members, he said, “Look at the quality of work the Chamber has done in the last four months, and evaluate it fairly. If you agree that your membership has been worth it, help us getting new members.” And finally, addressing the guests, he said, “Join us during our membership augmentation program.”

    In a unique approach to making the program more engaging, the ICCC kept it informal, even doing away with the podium on the stage, keeping speeches to a minimum, and located the stage in the centre of the grand ballroom of the venue, thus enabling more interaction between the audience and the performers.  

    Over the years, the Annual Winter Gala has revolved around specific themes that have highlighted different aspects of Indian lifestyle and experience. The themes have harkened back on Indian royalty to cinema to train journeys and celebrating homegrown stars of the Chamber. 

     Entertainment at ICCC's Winter Gala 2015

     

     


  • 25 Nov 2015 3:30 PM | Anonymous

    ASSOCHAM-ICCC to collaborate in education sector 


     ICCC team and Assocham teams with participants at the session

    Education has emerged as one of the biggest contributors to economic growth globally. Rise in literacy is an important indicator of a growing economy. The link between education and economic growth is spurring the demand for quality education, and leading to a spurt in globalization of education both in terms of students going to foreign destination to access better educational facilities and educational institutions becoming transnational service providers.

    In the Canada-India landscape, the education sector is comprehensively developed in both the Canadian and the Indian economy. In Canada, the GDP in the Educational Services sector increased from $51.6b in 2002 to $63.2b in 2011. The increase in GDP reported between 2002 and 2011 represented a compound annual rate of 2.3%.

    In view of the burgeoning significance of the sector, the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (Assocham) led an education sector delegation recently to Canada, and the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce held an interactive session with the delegation at its global headquarters in Toronto in November.

    The interactive session organized on November 25 attracted several prominent ICCC members engaged in the education sector. The Assocham delegation led by Dalip Sharma, a director of the trade organization, and the theme of the delegation was ‘Building and Strengthening Education Linkages’.         Delegation represented different universities and technical training institutes.

       
     ICCC & Assocham participants at the session  ICCC & Assocham participants at the session

    During the interaction, Mr. Dalip Sharma emphasized that Assocham was looking forward to establishing strong linkages with the ICCC to promote the education sector.   

    In his remarks, Sanjay Makkar, President, ICCC, said that the Chamber was eager to collaborate with Assocham in the education sector. He said the Chamber has an established track record of several initiatives in the education sector. He said there was a tremendous opportunity for collaboration between Canada and India in the sector.

    “After Canada and India signed a memorandum of understanding in 2010, both countries have redoubled their collaboration efforts. The number of Indian students choosing Canada as a study destination grew to 23,504 in 2011, representing an increase of more than 145% from 2009,” he said.

    The ICCC President said that the Chamber would be focusing upon the sector once again in the upcoming India Mission in January 2016. The Chamber will be looking to exploring partnership with organizations in the sector. On previous missions, the Chamber explored opportunities of collaborating through twinning programs between Canadian and Indian institutions.

    Mr. Makkar also said that the Chamber has been advocating Canada-India Partnership in academic-industry-business interface and mobilisation of the Indian diaspora resources and knowledge networks to utilize the educational linkages already established over the past five years. He said there is an urgent need for policy modification that ensures linkages between the educational sector and the immigration policies.

       
     ICCC President Sanjay Makkar  ASSOCHAM Director Dalip Sharma


  • 21 Nov 2015 3:00 PM | Anonymous

    Manish Tiwari visits ICCC

    Former Indian Minister for Information and Broadcasting evinces keen interest in Chamber's work
     

    ICCC team led by President Sanjay Makkar welcoming Mr. Manish Tiwari, former Indian federal minister

    Former Indian Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tiwari visited the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC)’s headquarters last week to confabulate with the Chamber’s leadership about the future direction of the Canada-India bilateral relations.

    Mr. Sanjay Makkar, President, ICCC, welcomed Mr. Tiwari to the Chamber and briefed him of the new direction the Chamber has taken with a focus on creating opportunities for Indo- Canadians small businesses.

    The ICCC President said the Chamber was committed to forging more meaningful trade relations between Canada and India, and would be in the forefront of advocating for a swifter conclusion on the negotiations on CEPA. Mr. Makkar then cited the recent report published by the Centre for International Policy Studies of the University of Ottawa titled ‘Canada and the World – New Direction for Canada’s International Policy’.

    The report specifies that the potential of Canada’s relationship with India has to go a long way. It advocated for speedier conclusion of the CEPA. One of the reasons for the slow progress, according to the report, is due to a wide range of commercial barriers, including India’s complex regulatory framework for imports of farm products and burdensome corporate tax rules that make it a challenging destination for business.

    Mr. Makkar informed the former Indian federal minister that the Chamber had, in the last six months, renewed its strong linkages with Indian government by working intricately with the High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Consulate General of India in Toronto. Mr. Makkar further informed the former minister that the Chamber had actively promoted opportunities for business and investment in India through organizations such as FICCI, CII and Assocham.

    One of the unique aspects of the new leadership of the Chamber, Mr. Makkar emphasized to the visiting dignitary was that each of the committees of the Chamber that is engaged in promoting different spheres and sectors of the economy  was headed by a sector expert. This made the process of guiding the Chamber’s activities and taking it to a new level in terms of output and results.

    Mr. Tiwari expressed satisfaction at the good work that the ICCC’s new team had undertaken to promote trade through the India trade mission in January 2016. He assured the Chamber’s leadership of cooperation during the India mission. Mr. Makkar informed Mr. Tiwari that the India Mission 2016 would promote SME relations as most of the members are from the SME sector. Among the key sectors that the mission would promote included education, skills development, advanced technologies, cooperation in sanitation.

    ICCC’s directors Mr. Ajay Tandon, Mr. Kanwar Dhanjal, and Mr. Pappur Shankar were present during the confabulations, as were members of the Chamber’s SME committee Mr. Sanjay Brahmbhatt.

       
     Mr. Makkar & Mr. Dhanjal in conversation with Mr. Tiwari  Mr. Makkar welcoming Mr. Tiwari


  • 18 Nov 2015 6:30 PM | Anonymous

    Your key to a world of opportunities

     CPA as a career

     

    From L to R: Jagdish Bajaj, Shivani Sharma Gupta, Sanjay Makkar, Bryan Jacobs,
    Carmen Jacques, Rohit Prajapati, Jatinder Bawa, Manish Agarwal, Ginni Sethi & Pappur Shankar

    In a world where competition is a norm in any career path, it has become imperative to acquire an extra edge in professional training to make a mark and to succeed. The Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) is one such qualification that can, and does open up a world of opportunities in Canada. The Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) organised an interactive session on CPA as a career option on November 18 at ICCC headquarters in Toronto.

    Welcoming the speakers and the participants to the session, Mr. Sanjay Makkar, President, ICCC, said the event was organized to give members an in-depth knowledge of the qualification, and to help understand how the program can help people advance their career as CPA. The session, he emphasized, would shed light on the skillsets required for acquiring the qualification that would enable an aspirant to scale new heights.

    Mr. Bryan Jacobs, in the introduction of the CPA program, said, “Becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) is your ticket to a world of opportunities in accounting and finance.” He added, “CPAs are always in demand thanks to their financial expertise, strategic thinking, business insight and management skills. The program will advance your knowledge, broaden your prospects and increase your earning potential.”

     

    Shivani Gupta, Devesh Gupta with Sanjay Makkar

     Jagdish Bajaj, Sanjay Makkar with a guest

    A panel discussion followed the remarks by Mr. Makkar and Mr. Jacobs. Ms. Carmen Jacques, Student Recruitment Manager, CPA, Ontario, moderated the discussion. The panelists were Mr. Jitender Bawa, Mr. Manish Agarwal and Mr. Rohit Prajapati. The discussion revolved around the following questions:

    • What tips do you want to share with the audience to help them better position themselves for employment in the finance and accounting sector?
    • How important is the CPA designation to getting a job in finance or accounting?
    • What are the skills and competencies you believe are absolutely essential for competing in today’s job market?
    • What advice would you give participants for gaining these skills?
    • What was your path to landing your first professional job?
    • Describe the hurdles you have had and what you did to overcome those hurdles.
    • What do employers look for in successful candidates?
    • Tell us something that you wished someone had told you before you started your career.
    • Give us your thoughts on Mentorship.
    • In today’s competitive career search how could I make myself stand-out as a strong candidate?
    • As an Internationally Trained Accountant and recently arrived how can I compete in my career search with someone who has been here for a while?
    • In today’s competitive career search how could I make myself stand-out as a strong candidate?

    All the panelists shared their views on these questions. 

     

     Carmen Jacques of CPA moderating a discussion

     Click here for more photographs: CPA as a career


  • 12 Nov 2015 6:30 PM | Anonymous

    Networking with EDC

     

    From L to R: Pappur Shankar, Abu Becker, Arun Srivastava, Marti Anne Falcone, 
    Navi Dhami, Ross Richard, Sumeet Malik, Sanjay Makkar & Raza Hasan

    Export Development Canada (EDC) is Canada’s nodal agency for all aspects of export promotion, and it helps Canadian entrepreneurs at every stage of the export process – right from the initial steps of exploring the global markets to arranging for finances to commence global trade.  Over the last decade, as it has expanded its scope of operations, EDC has built a formidable alliance with the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) in promoting Canada-India trade, especially amongst Canadian small and medium businesses.

    To inform new members and refresh memories of longtime members of the ICCC, the Chamber organized an information and networking session about the EDC at ICCC’s new global headquarters in Toronto on 12 November 2015. The objective of the session was to inform and educate members about the EDC, and provide a platform for Indo-Canadian entrepreneurs with aspirations to expand their operations to global markets to interact with officials from the EDC.

    Mr. Sanjay Makkar, President, ICCC, while welcoming the EDC officials to the Chamber, recounted the long association that the Chamber has had with the export promotion agency. “EDC is our Partner in Success, and has supported many of our projects over the last decade. It has supported Indo-Canadian entrepreneurialism by promoting our annual awards, and sponsoring other programs. It will also be playing a prominent part in our forthcoming India Mission 2016.” 

    He then informed the audience of the forthcoming India Mission in January 2016, and gave a brief overview of his recent meeting with the new federal economic development minister Hon. Navdeep Bains. “Our Chamber is committed to creating opportunities for small business owners, and assist them in exploring global and in particular the Indian market,” he said. The ICCC President emphasized that a large number of the Chamber’s members are small business owners or professionals who have their own practice; therefore, a program with such a theme would be of great benefit.

    Led by Ms. Marti Anne Falcone, Regional Manager, Asia, the EDC team also included Mr. Sumeet Malik, Mr. Ross Richard and Mr. Navi Dhami. In addition to providing a broad overview of the EDC’s operations, they answered questions pertaining to working capital and risk mitigation when conducting businesses globally. Answering questions the EDC team emphasized why the agency is important in protecting the overseas investment and also for doing due diligence of the companies with whom the Canadian SMEs would like to start businesses. They also answered the India specific questions raised in the session. 

    For more photos please click here


  • 05 Nov 2015 6:30 PM | Anonymous

    Focus on Future: Conserve Energy

     
     From LtoR: Pappur Shankar, Nani Pradeepan, S K Sharma, Sanjay Makkar, Prabhakar Rayaapa & Dharma P Jain

    In the 21st century, energy has come to signify multiple concepts – development, growth, sustainability, and cost efficiencies. A necessary ingredient in every human endeavor, energy is necessary for development and growth, but as the 20th century showed us, unbridled use of energy can leave a trail of devastation for us and especially for our future generations. So, energy has come to signify conservation, sustainability and cost efficiencies.

    In an effort to create awareness about the need for energy conservation, the Energy Committee of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) organized a workshop on Energy Conservation – Conventional & Renewable. Surinder Sharma and Nani Pradeepan, both energy sector veterans, and members of ICCC’s Energy Committee were the key presenters at the workshop.

    Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Makkar, President, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) emphasized upon the single-minded focus of the Chamber’s new leadership in organizing programs that are relevant to the members. He lauded the role of Pappur Shankar, ICCC’s director of energy and mining in taking the initiative to organize a program on a subject of such topicality. Makkar said that the creation of the new ministry of Climate Change and Environment by the Trudeau government indicates that is focused on an issue that has acquired major dimensions that need urgent resolution.  

    Pappur Shankar, in his welcome remarks, said that the committee will continue to focus on both commercial and social aspects of the subject of energy and conservation. He said the committee will also be organizing an event focused on the mining sector.

    In his presentation, Surinder Sharma provided insights into increasing carbon emissions and its impact on climate change.  The role of business in ‘sustainability’ and how to use Energy Audits and Technology Measures to improve the business bottom-line by saving energy and bringing a ‘Culture of Conservation’.  He also gave a broad outline of the Incentive Programs offered by Hydro Companies to make projects viable.

    Sharma is the Founder and CEO of Power Saving Systems Inc. - a leading service provider and Energy Consultants for the saveONenergy programs offered by Enersource Hydro Mississauga, Toronto Hydro and PowerStream that assists the Industry and Small Businesses to conserve energy.  He has presented several workshops in this field, conducted energy audits and operates the Small Business Lighting Program of Toronto and Mississauga.

    Nani Pradeepan followed Sharma. He provided insights into harnessing solar power is important for our energy future - providing energy diversity, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and decreasing carbon emissions. Government of Ontario’s Feed in Tariff programs pay premium for property owners and businesses for the solar electricity they generate. This makes solar energy not only a way to generate clean electricity but also but also financially rewarding.

    Pradeepan is the Managing Director of New Dawn Energy Solutions – an energy technology company based in Markham, Ontario that provides turnkey solar and energy saving solutions in Ontario and abroad. Nani is a professional engineer in the province of Ontario. He possesses bachelors and master’s degrees in electrical engineering. His specializations are in solar, small wind power systems, energy optimization and project management.

     Participants at the workshop  Participants at the workshop


Vancouver • Calgary • Winnipeg • Toronto • Ottawa • Montreal • Halifax