ICCC Weekly Newsletter

20 March 2021

Fighting Racism

On 16 March 2021, a series of mass shootings occurred at three different day spas in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Eight people were killed, six of whom were women of Asian descent, and one person was wounded. A suspect, 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long, was taken into custody later that day. There has been a lame attempt at deliberate obfuscation over Long’s motives, and efforts have been made to conceal the blatant racism as the only reason behind this dastardly act.

Less than a week later, on 21 March the world will observe the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.

“Youth standing up against racism” is the 2021 theme. It engages the public through #FightRacism, which aims to foster a global culture of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination and calls on each and every one of us to stand up against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes.

On 17 March, Ontario’s Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs, Cabinet Office’s Anti-Racism Working Group and the Anti-Racism Directorate organized the first-ever OPS DAY OF UNITY AGAINST RACISM in honour of the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The purpose of this annual event is to increase awareness of racism and what it means to be anti-racist as we work to build more understanding among all of us. On its webpage ‘Employer resource hub: workplaces that work for all’ Ontario government has basic but invaluable information about combatting racism in the workplace. Preventing systemic racism in the workplace is a critical objective that can be undermined by many factors, including:

• An organization’s culture
• Outdated human resources policies and practices
• A lack of resources and supports

Indigenous, Black and racialized people face distinct challenges entering the workforce, advancing in their career and seeking out learning and professional development opportunities. This often results in an unequal distribution of income and opportunities across these communities. There is incredible talent and expertise within Ontario’s Indigenous, Black and racialized communities. Building companies that work for all is good for business and can result in better performance, higher revenues and increased work attendance. Employers need to address the barriers that prevent this pool of talent from entering the workforce, advancing in their careers and accessing professional development. Addressing systemic racism in the workplace matters. When employees think their organization is committed to diversity and feel included, they report better performance in innovation and team collaboration.

To combat racism, we must make a sincere effort to understand what it is, in its entirety. In the Indo-Canadian context, one can be both a victim and a perpetrator; and it may encompass not just race, but religion, ethnicity, caste, and sect.

Read more:

United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Website

Youth standing up against racism: Website

Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate: Website

Employer Resource Hub (Ontario): Website

10 Days / 10 States

ICCC's Virtual Trade Mission to India

11 May 2021 to 25 May 2021

Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce is organizing the first ever 10 Days/10 States virtual trade mission from Canada to India.

The Mission is supported by Indian High Commission, the Consul General of India in Toronto, the Canadian Federal Government and other Provincial and City Governments.

The Mission will focus on 5 major sectors/industries that show maximum potential for growth for bilateral trade relations.

The Mission is a great opportunity to leverage the business opportunities in a post pandemic world and contribute to increasing trade and investments between Canada and India

10 States

Andhra Pradesh No. 1 on EODB reforms, Biggest exporter in India, largest producer of fruit, oil palm. Biotech/Lifesciences, Tourism and Tech.

Goa Tourism and Tech, highest per capita income, mineral rich state

Gujarat Highest number of operational ports/commercial cargo ports, ranked No.1 on Export Preparedness Index, 20 SEZs, 8 Special Investment Regions

Haryana Hub for Knowledge industry incl biotech and IT. Prominent trade and consumption centre, lies in the influence zone of two major industrial corridors – DMIC and AKIC

J&K Largest producer of Apples, Walnuts, Cherries, Saffron, Wool etc. Well known for handicrafts/handloom products. Tourism.

Karnataka Tech, Innovation – Sector leader. Over 400 R&D centres, largest SW exporter, largest producer of coffee, aerospace and defence equipment

Odisha Largest mineral producing state, over 50% of aluminium, steel and stainless steel in India, leading producer of horticulture crops – eggplant, pumpkin, cashewnut, cowpeas

Rajasthan Largest producer of coarse cereals, coriander, 2nd largest producer of pulses, oilseeds, cumin, garlic etc. Highest solar energy potential, largest producer of blended fabrics and wool in India, major solar energy potential. Tourism friendly and lies in the DMIC industrial corridor.

Uttar Pradesh 200 mn in population (equivalent to Brazil), Taj Mahal, largest producer of milk and horticulture crops like gooseberry, guava , mango, peas and potato

Punjab Granary of India – largest producer of wheat and rice, largest producer of horticulture crops – carrot, peas, mandarin, radish and melon, largest producer of machine, hand tools and bicycle components. Sound infra for food processing – processing and cold storage.

5 sectors

• ICT
• Start Ups
• Tourism
• Food – Processing/Retail
• Pharma /Medical Devices/Healthcare

ICCC is conducting a virtual curtain-raiser on 1 April 2021 to provide more details about the trade mission.

Register on Zoom or Facebook

Or watch live on Facebook

Recovery Activation Program

ENROLL NOW

Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce has joined the Recovery Activation Program launched in 2020 by the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s World Trade Centre Toronto.

The program provides immersive training, mentoring and support to assist with digital modernization and help businesses adapt to the new normal.

The program offers participants unprecedented access to engage with industry leaders, and build their personalised plan to digitally grow their business – at no cost to them.

A strong digital approach can help all businesses operate better, create new opportunities, and support future growth. RAP ensures that participants feel confident they are approaching their digital transformation the right way.

Select ICCC as the referral agency when filling the form

https://wtctoronto.com/rap

Instructions to fill out the form: Choose Chamber of Commerce, then choose Other, and then type ICCC or Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce.

Trade Opportunity

Services Export Promotion Council

Virtual Buyer Seller Meet

30 – 31 March 2021

Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) of India organizing a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet on 30-31 March 2021 to showcase the strength of India’s Service Industry and to provide a platform for business delegates to explore opportunities.

The Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) of India, set up by Ministry of Commerce and Industry is mandated to promote exports of 17 services sectors. (download list)

The salient features of this BSM are as below:

The matchmaking will be done on the basis of submitted profile.

Each participant will have minimum 20 meetings. (No. of scheduled meetings are most likely to go up depending upon your sector)

This Buyer Seller Meet will be based on the Artificial Intelligence-driven matchmaking (pre-scheduled/ approved meetings).

All the sectors under SEPC purview will be covered.

All the business delegates from Canada can register themselves at http://sepcevents.com/buyer.

Upcoming Programs & Events

ICCC's Leaders Talk Webinar Series

Hon. Erin O'Toole

Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada

&

Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

THURSDAY 08 APRIL 2021

Register on Zoom (first 100 registrants) or Facebook

Or watch live on Facebook

Past Programs and Events

ICCC's 2021 Leaders Talk Webinar Series

Indo-Canadian Leaders Transforming Canada

On 18 March 2021, as part of its continuing Leaders Talk webinar series, the ICCC organized a chat session with Hon. Prasad Panda, Alberta's Infrastructure Minister, and Hon. Chandra Arya, Member of Parliament from Nepean, ON, and Member of Standing Committee on International Trade. The leaders spoke about their journey as Indo-Canadian decision-makers, and discussed their portfolios.

In case you missed it, watch the full recording of the webinar here

Click here to go to the YouTube recording:
Indo-Canadian Leaders

In the News: Ontario Vaccination Update

Be patient, it’s just a matter of time

Ontario's Booking System to Expand to Individuals Aged 75 and Older as Vaccine Rollout Accelerates

More Pharmacies and Primary Care Settings to Offer AstraZeneca to Those 60+

With over 50 per cent of Ontario residents aged 80 and over having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Ontario government is expanding appointments through its online booking system to individuals aged 75 and over, effective Monday, 22 March 2021, ahead of schedule.

Details were provided 19 March 2021 by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, and General Rick Hillier (retired), Chair of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force.

Ontario began vaccinating individuals aged 80 and over in February, and launched an online booking tool and a call centre to help answer questions and support appointment bookings at mass immunization clinics. Since the provincial booking system was launched on March 15, more than 239,000 appointments have been scheduled for the first and second doses.

Ontario is leading the country in the total number of vaccines administered and has fully immunized more individuals than all provinces and territories combined. To date, over 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the province, including over 129,000 doses administered to long-term care home residents. Over 294,000 Ontarians are fully immunized, including over 61,000 long term-care home residents.

The province also continues to expand the delivery channels available to administer COVID-19 vaccines, with another 350 pharmacies to be brought on board across the province in the next two weeks bringing the total to approximately 700 locations. It is expected that this number would again be doubled to approximately 1,500 by the end of April. Depending on vaccine supply, retail pharmacies could administer up to 40 per cent of all vaccinations by the end of April. Details on additional locations and the application process for pharmacy participation will be shared in the coming days. In addition, vaccinations in primary care settings will continue in collaboration with public health units.

Read more:

Covid-19 Vaccines for Ontario: Website

Covid-19 Pharmacy Locations: Website

Ontario Booking System to Expand: Announcement

ICCC In the News

Coverage of ICCC's International Women's Day Celebrations in the Indo-Caribbean World and The Weekly Voice.

Announcement

CAMSC's Diversity Procurement Fair 2021 & Pitch for Success Competition

CAMSC Diversity Procurement Fair 2021 - Virtual Event, is about making strong connections that build successful partnerships. It’s about collaboration and brainstorming fresh insights from diverse businesses.

This year our theme Breakthrough to Brilliance is all about bringing out the best and recognizing each sector/industry represented by our network. We are excited to bring you yet another virtual networking event with tons of new opportunities.

Building on the success of CAMSC's first virtual conference, Diversity Procurement Fair 2021_Virtual Conference will be held on April 20 & 21 and 27 & 28, 2021.for the Canadian small businesses and exporters to connect with the Canadian, U.S. and International Corporate Buyers.

Attendees who attended the annual multi- day business facilitation and networking event will be given insights to innovation in an adapting world.

Supplier diversity leaders from industries such as Automotive, Banking, Pharma, Information Tech/ Artificial Intelligence, Construction, Food & Beverage, Energy and Govts/Technology will participate in a wide range of online webinars and meet with diverse suppliers.

This year CAMSC is adding a brand-new format to the INVITE ONLY sessions – The Corporate Member Forum, along with the Supplier Bootcamp, to give focused attention to our Corporate and Supplier network.

Export Forum, matchmaking and networking events will be also included. New sessions included: CMF, Pitch Competition, New Member’s Reception.

Meeting Marketplace is expanded to two days to provide more business opportunities for Certified Supplier and Corporate Members.

When: April 20, 21, 27, 28

Where: Virtual Conference

REGISTER NOW

Welcome to New Members

The ICCC Board Approved the following new member applications

Regular category

Neeru Sharma

Saqib Shahzad

Siddhanta Goel

Sukhpal Gill

Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce

924 The East Mall Toronto ON M9B 6K1

Tel: (416) 224-0090 Fax: (416) 916-0086

Email: iccc@iccconline.org

Website: www.iccconline.org