ICCC Weekly Newsletter
27 February 2021
A hopeful spring
In the classic Shakespearian play Julius Cesar, a soothsayer forewarns the Roman Emperor of the 'Ides of March'. Although the original meaning of Ides is just the first full moon of the month (usually between 13th and 15th of the month), following William Shakespeare’s classic play Julius Cesar (1599), the phrase has become a harbinger of all things bad and unpleasant. In the play, the soothsayer suggests Cesar stay indoors and not venture out.
But, of course, history tells us that on 15 March 44 BCE Cesar was stabbed 23 times by Roman senators led by his protégés and friends Cassius and Brutus. It is said that one of the many reasons why there was a general resentment against Cesar was because he had moved the new year from 15 March to 15 January, when he ordained that the Roman calendar would follow the solar cycle (beginning January) and not the lunar cycle (beginning in March).
The Death of Julius Caesar by Vincenzo Camuccini (1798)
The jury’s out on the benefits of changing calendars, just as it’s out for changing the time to save daylight, but there’s little doubt that with the advent of March, the average Canadian begins to feel better, lighter. The heavy burden of the long winter dissipates, and the spring equinox (on 20 March this year) heralds the onset of spring. Of course, we’re in Canada, so it doesn’t really get warm for the next two months, but there’s undoubtedly a shift in mood.
Globally, the advent of spring this year is being eagerly anticipated because the vaccine rollout will be implemented everywhere. It is may perhaps be too early to predict the impact of this process, but there is hope that in the next few months, a majority of the world’s population will be vaccinated.
The Spring of 2021, therefore, is a harbinger of hope!
Happy reading, and send us your feedback at iccc@iccconline.org
Talking Trade
Ontario - Jammu & Kashmir Handlooms & Handicrafts Buyers-Sellers Meet
ICCC brings Jammu & Kashmiri exporters of handloom and handicrafts with Ontario importers and investors
In a path-breaking initiative, the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) organized a buyers-sellers meet between handloom and handicrafts sector exporters from Jammu and Kashmir and importers and investors from Ontario on Friday 26 February 2021. The virtual meet was organized in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) and under the aegis of the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Apoorva Srivastava, the Consul General of India in Toronto, in her special remarks, emphasized the use of technology to enhance trade, especially the sophisticated innovations available in realm of logistical support in global trade. Ms. Srivastava also said that the market for handicrafts and handloom products in rapidly evolving and growing in North America, and that it is important for institutions such as the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation
In his welcome address, Vijay Thomas, President, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber is proud to be a part of the initiative that is promoting the economic development of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that there are many Indo-Canadians who are of Kashmiri origin who have shown interest in trading with J&K exporters because of their emotional bonds with their birthplace. Vijay added that the ICCC’s upcoming virtual India trade mission called 10 States 10 Days will also include Jammu and Kashmir.
Screengrab of virtual buyers-sellers meet
Anoo Malhotra, Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization, in her inaugural address, enumerated the measures undertaken by the union territory and the union government to promote economic development in Jammu and Kashmir and especially help exporters.
Following the speeches, Mehmood Ahmad Shah (KAS), Director Handicraft & Handloom Kashmir, made a presentation on handicrafts and handloom sector in Kashmir.
Bhavik Parikh, Director, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) provided both the technical support and was the host for the meet. Over 20 exporters from Jammu and Kashmir and an equal number of importers and investors from Ontario participated in the meet and exchanged information about the range of products on offer. The products on offer ranged from handicrafts and handloom products and included:
Handicrafts such as wood carving and bamboo crafts, basohli paintings, mirrors, woodcraft, modern art, mixed media, Papier Mache, embroidered bags, caps, purses, pouches, mobile pouches, etc.
Garments such fur and leather jackets, Kani shawl, pashmina and woolen stoles and shawls, suits and sarees, cotton and fine cotton, bedsheets, blankets, linen shirt, pachama kameez, dora dresses, tweed, tweed coat, tweed half coat, hand-embroidered cashmere wool shawls, stoles, mufflers, Jamawar shawls, hand-embroidered cashmere and silk jackets, cape shawls, suede bags.
Download
Kashmiri Handicrafts & Handloom presentation: Cashmere
List of Jammu & Kashmir Exporters & their products: E-Catalog
If you are interested in contacting any Jammu & Kashmir exporter, please write to iccc@iccconline.org
Upcoming Programs & Events
ICCC's Ninth Annual International Women's Day Celebrations
6:00 PM onward
FRIDAY 05 MARCH 2021
Register on Zoom (first 100 registrants)
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5AnomYkjSYGybqlTFb46SQ
Or watch livestream on Facebook
www.facebook.com/ICCCONLINE
Keynote: Lisa Lisson, President, FedEx Express Canada
Guest of Honour: Hon. Mary Ng, Canada's Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
Panel discussion
Women Leaders - What it takes to reach the top and staying there
Panelists
Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General of India in Toronto
Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga
Vasudha Seth, Director, Sales, Arcelor Mittal Dofasco
Moderator
Sangita Iyer, Documentary Filmmaker & Positive Psychology Expert
Past Programs and Events
Thursday Talks Webinar Series
ICCC Annual Real Estate Roundtable
On 25 February 2021, as part of its continuing Thursday Talks webinar series, the ICCC organized its first Annual Real Estate Roundtable and invited experts in the field of real estate to discuss the market trends in the post-pandemic era.
In case you missed it, watch the full recording of the webinar here
Click here to go to the YouTube recording: Real Estate Roundtable
Values Driven Business Leadership
On Friday 26 February, the ICCC invited Dr. Basil Chen and Ravi Nookala, experts in Values Driven Business Leadership to discuss the concept that is redefining leadership and inculcating social good along with profit motive in the process of decision making. Here's the recording of the program
Click here to go to the YouTube recording: Values Driven Leadership
Trade Shows
INDIASOFT 2021
ICCC President at INDIASOFT 2021
Vijay Thomas is a featured speaker at INDIASOFT 2020
at 9:00 am Thursday 11 March
Electronics & Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) is organizing 21st edition of INDIASOFT from March 9-31, 2021 on a digital platform.
ESC is the designated agency under Foreign Trade Policy for promotion of exports of Electronics, Software and IT Enabled Services from the country. ESC has been successfully conducting "INDIASOFT", its flagship event to showcase capabilities of Indian small and mid-sized companies in Software and IT Services.
Several senior officials of Government of India including Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Industry Promotion & Internal Trade (DPIIT), Rahul Chhabra, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs and Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology have kindly agreed to deliver keynote/special address at various Indiasoft Sessions. (program details at www.indiasoft.org).
As North America is the largest market for Indian software and IT services and India is an important market for many important North American solution providers like IBM, Microsoft, Google, Cisco, Intel etc. In view of the importance of North American market for promoting trade and investment in Information Technology a session on IT co-operation with US & Canada is being organized on March 11 at 9:00 AM EST. Sanjay Chadha Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce has kindly agreed to address the session.
Participate in the session on IT co-operation with Canada on March 11, 2021 at 9:00 AM (EST) by registering at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9pgQR-j6DkMat94vZHPaKl6Hl3BOz9yCkYQRwZuJbj6nocg/viewform
In the News
Canada
Ontario approves $950 million small business support grants
As of Wednesday, 24 February, Ontario Government has approved over 67,000 applications with more than $950 million in payments going to businesses in communities across the province.
Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant provides them with funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Provincewide Shutdown. In order to qualify, business must demonstrate that they experienced a revenue decline of at least 20 per cent when comparing monthly revenue in April 2019 and April 2020.
This time period was selected because it reflects the impact of the public health measures in spring 2020, and as such provides a representation of the possible impact of these latest measures on small businesses. New businesses established since April 2019 are also eligible provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
And to help keep businesses informed with the most up to date information, there’s now a new way for them to check the status of their application online: https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/msrf/#/home#BSGStatusWindow
To check application status, authorization number and CRA business number are required.
Check your application status: https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/msrf/#/home#BSGStatusWindow
Learn more about the grant: http://ontario.ca/COVIDsupport
Ontario's Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout
Download chart: Ontario's Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan
India
India's Vaccine Maitri wins global praise
25 countries across the world have already received Made in India vaccines and 49 more countries will be supplied in the coming days, ranging from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to Africa, South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Indian-made vaccines arrive in Serbia under the Vaccine Maitri initiative
Read the report: Vaccine Maitri
Gujarat's new industrial policy
The State Government of Gujarat has announced a new Industrial Policy 2020 (7 August 2020 to 7 August 2025), a copy which is enclosed for ready reference. The new Policy factors in diverse inputs received from various sectors of business and hence is now qualitatively more investor-friendly, especially for MSMEs.
The highlights of the new Industrial Policy are:
The state’s next wave of growth will be driven by mega industrial infrastructure projects, such as the Delhi - Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail, Gujarat International Financial Tech (GIFT) City, 30,000 MW Renewable Energy Target by 2022 among others.
To support these projects, the policy introduces Reforms in regulatory mechanisms for Ease of Doing Business and has earmarked land parcels available for industrial use across the state, which may be viewed on an online portal htps://gujarat.ncog.gov.in/indextb). Additionally, the State Government will facilitate industries in getting ‘Government Land’ on lease to industrial enterprises at 6% of market rate for long term up to 50 years.
In light of CoVID-19, Gujarat will offer Special Relocation Incentives to industries planning to relocate their operations and/or diversify supply chains.
Initiatives are also being taken by the state to reposition Gujarat’s MSMEs on a global level such as Capital and Interest Subsidy, Quality Certification, etc.
The policy also further eases the process of utilizing rooftop Solar Power in MSMEs.
Provisions are being made to accelerate and strengthen the start-up ecosystem through a separate fund under GVFL for smaller ticket funding, Gujarat e-Marketplace, etc.
Financial services, Health services, Transport & Logistics services, Audio Visual services, Construction related engineering services and Environmental services are now eligible for special incentives for service sector MSMEs.
In line with the mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the state has identified 15 thrust sectors for industrial promotion which have been segregated in 2 categories: Core sectors and Sunrise sectors (new/upcoming).
Additionally, the policy introduces incentives for greater compliance with environmental standards & supports development of latest sustainable industrial infrastructure to reduce air and water pollution.
To promote Skill enhancement, the State Government intends to introduce industry-specific short term/ long term/ modular courses in the existing ITIs, Polytechnic and Engineering colleges with active participation of the user industry.
Download: Gujarat Industrial Policy
Announcement - Membership Discount
Membership Discount ends tomorrow
Avail 20% discount on New Membership & Renewals on Regular category
Up to 6:00 PM 28 February 2021
Become a Member today: Membership
The $150 annual membership is available for only $120 up to February end.
Online payment: Moreover, to ease the process of new member enrolment and renewals, the ICCC has now enabled online payment of membership. Both new members and members renewing their membership can now immediately make payment online.
In compliance with the provisions of ICCC's bylaws, all new membership applications will be reviewed by the board of directors within 10 days of receiving the application. If an applicant does not meet any of ICCC's membership criteria, then s/he would be contacted by a representative of ICCC's membership committee, and the membership fees paid upon application would be refunded.
Life Membership
We are changing our Life Membership category. Starting this year, we will be bringing exclusive programs only for Life Members. Also, Life Memberships would be closed for the entire year and would open only in the beginning of each year for one week to allow 30 new Life Members.
For 2021, Life Membership is open till 28 February 2021.
Become a Member today: Membership
