Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) will organise an India Mission 2013 to coincide with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to be held in Cochin in next January.

Announcing this, Naval Bajaj the President of the ICCC said the Chamber would lead a multi-city trade mission comprising small and medium businesses and would include participation in the Vibrant Gujarat 2013 convention. Bajaj was addressing a high-powered delegation from Gujarat led by the state’s Principal Secretary D. J. Pandian. 

The business reception witnessed enthusiastic participation by over 150 guests from different business sectors. Preeti Saran, Consul General of India in Toronto; His Worship Frank Scarpitti, the Mayor of Markham; and Hon. Asha Seth, Senator, Senate of Canada, Hon. Joe Daniel, Member of Parliament; and councillors from Markham were among the several distinguished dignitaries present at the reception.

During his interaction, Gujarat’s Pandian emphasised the robustness of Gujarat’s economic development. He said the state provides ample bilateral opportunities for business, trade and investments in different spheres. The Principal Secretary said Canada is the partner country for next year’s Vibrant Gujarat convention.

Consul General Preeti Saran in her remarks lauded the Chamber for successfully bringing together the entrepreneurial Indian diaspora together on one platform, with PBD Canada2011 being an illustrative example of this new thrust. She said that Gujarat’s all round development has opened up new avenues for business which would grow exponentially after Canada and India signed the comprehensive economic partnership agreement.

His Worship Frank Scarpitti, the Mayor of Markham, congratulated the ICCC for organising the business reception. He applauded the efforts of Indian Government for organising the ‘Year of India in Canada’ in 2011, in which the PBD Canada2011 was a major success. Markham collaborated with ICCC on the four-city India Mission 2012, and would be doing so for Vibrant Gujarat in 2013.

Senator Ms. Asha Seth welcomed the delegation and said that there is a vast scope of collaboration between Canada and India in the areas of energy, pharmaceuticals, innovation and research.