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President's Message
Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce has recently completed the first phase of its study on Canada India relations which was the result of over thirty round table meetings encompassing all across Canada and India, and I am pleased to announce that its first Report on “Unlocking the Potential of Canada-India Partnership: Present Initiatives and Future Agenda”has been released in Canada on December 05th, 2014 at ICCC Winter Gala 2014 and in India during PBD on Jan 9th, 2015 at Ahmadabad, Gujarat by Hon. Deepak Obhrai, MP, PC.
The Report clearly points out the tremendous untapped opportunities for mutual learning and mutual advantage in a closer Canada-India partnership involving businesses and governments at all levels. The Chamber firmly believes that within a decade or two, Canada-India relationship will be one of the top three or four relationships that Canada will have. It hopes that the ideas and suggestions contained in the Report will be found useful and serve as a guide for its members and other interested readers for their contribution to the building of sustainable, strategic and comprehensive partnership between two countries.
Copies of the report are available in Chamber office to pick up or you can download it from chamber’s websitewww.iccconline.org
Know your Organization
Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce is a 37-year-old organization with twin objectives of fostering bilateral trade between Canada and India and creating entrepreneurial and professional opportunities for Indo-Canadians. It is run by an elected board with the help of various committees involving member. To know more about your organization, please visit:
www.iccconline.org
ACTIVITIES IN DECEMBER 2014
December 1: Dharma P Jain President, ICCC with Mr. Tony Chawla were interviewed by Rogers Television regarding the ICCC’s Winter Gala 2014 and Sports Forum 2014.
December 2: Dharma P Jain, President, Jagdish Bajaj, Tony Chawla and a few other board members attended the BDC, Brampton holiday luncheon meeting wherein your directors exchanged views on mutual cooperation, working together and sponsorship opportunities.
December 2: Indo- Canada Chamber of Commerce organised an interactive session on Intergenerational tax planning: transferring wealth to next generation on 02-December 2014 at the ICCC headquarter. Mr. Phil Friedlan, J.D, MBA, of Friedlan Law was the guest speaker at the session. He shared his expertise on importance of estate planning, tax and non-tax issues, consequences of failure to plan in advance and other family issues. In Canada it is estimated that approximately $ 1 trillion would be transferred between generations over the next generation. Out of 100 families; 54% do not have plans in place, he said. Planning in place is must to create, preserve and review that wealth in the person’s lifetime and distribute those assets after the death as per the wishes of that individual.
December 5: The first of its kind Sports Forum organized by Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) was a great success highlighting the need to have more engagements of players in the decision making process to make the Canadian emerging sports most popular and at par with other international teams on the globe. The theme for the forum was Emerging Sports: Cricket and other Popular National Sports. Sports representatives from International Cricket Council (ICC), Cricket Canada, NBA Canada, Tennis Canada, Rogers Media, Schulich School of Business - York University, Canadian national players, participated in the forum that explored the regulatory framework, the institutional avenues and support available to emerging sports in Canada. It was divided into two panel discussions. Hon. Bal Gosal, federal minister of state for sports kicked off the proceedings with an exciting keynote address. The minister said that federal government is funding $ 200 million every year for the sports and an additional $500 million for creating sports infrastructure in Ontario for the upcoming Pan Am & Parapan American Games 2015.
Chamber appreciated its Cricket committee members for the success of this forum. Special thanks to Mr. Mukesh Narula and Mr. Bobby Sahni for moderating the sessions. The forum was attended over 100 guests including non-members, sports persons and others.
December 5: Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce celebrated Winter Gala 2014 with its theme ‘The Royal Darbar’. In keeping with the theme, over 500 guests that comprised the who’s who of the Indo-Canadian community and a number of dignitaries were treated to a veritable feast of Indian royalty that included songs, dances and memorable reflections of Royal culture. Dignitaries at the event included several prominent political leaders such as Hon. Chris Alexander, Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Hon. Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Member of Parliament Parm Gill and Patrick Brown, Consul General Akhilesh Mishra, Mississauga’s newly elected Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Senator Asha Seth, and a number of MPPs, Councillors from Brampton, Mississauga and other parts of the GTA. MPP Dipika Damerla read the message of Ontario Premier Hon. Kathleen Wynne who could not attend due to her busy schedule.
Hon. Deepak Obhrai released Chamber's first research report titled “Unlocking the Potential of Canada-India Partnership: Present Initiatives and Future Agenda”.
Ms. Gugni Gill and Mr. Bobby Sahni were the MCs of the event.
December 9: Mr. Dharma P Jain, President ICCC and Mr. Tony Chawla had a successful meeting with Ms. Ruby Latif, City of Toronto. They discussed the future collaboration between the city and the chamber and talked about City's representation in upcoming India Mission Delegation as well future sponsorship to the chamber.
December 9: Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce has organized a workshop for Canadian exporters to discuss how Export Development Canada (EDC) can provide guidance, support and assist you in growing your international business on 9 December 2014. Mr. Dharma P Jain, President ICCC said that EDC provide insurance and financial services, bonding products and small business solutions to Canadian exporters and investors and their international buyers. They also support Canadian direct investment abroad and investment into Canada. Mr. Navi Dhami, Account Manager, EDC said that EDC can help the exporters with their commercial banking experience to boost their international trade. Canadian exporters can grow their international business financial & risk mitigating solutions. Ms. Amesika Baeta, Small Business Account Manager EDC said that small business exporters can get the maximum help from EDC to develop their international business especially in the Import Export sector. Mr. Brij Sharma, VP-Finance and SME, moderated the event.
December 10: Dharma P Jain President, ICCC and Mr. Naval Bajaj, Immediate past President, attended the facilitation event of Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie. Event was also attended by ICCC board members Mr. Sanjay Makkar and Mr. Jagdish Bajaj. ICCC past President Ms. Asha Luthra and Mr. Satish Thakkar were also present at the event. ICCC President extended invitation to the City of Mississauga for joining India Mission 2015.
December 15: Dharma P Jain President, ICCC participated in the NCIC Event to meet and listen to top health innovators from India and focussed on India funded by Grand Challenges Canada. Hon. Chris Alexander, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship was the key note speaker at the event which was also attended by several other Chamber members.
December 16: Dharma P Jain, Naval Bajaj, Brij Sharma and few other chamber members attended the Annual General meeting of Panorama India, a partner organization and get them updated of progress in the Canada India space.
December 17: Dharma P Jain President, ICCC met Mr. Amit Shah, Trade Representative, Government of Ontario in Mumbai. They discussed the future cooperation for the promotion of Ontario India trade ties. They also discussed opportunities available through their trade office which can help Chamber's trade mission in future.
December 17: Indo- Canada Chamber of Commerce organised an interactive session on Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) Rebates on New Homes and Condos on 17-December 2014 at the Nanda & Associate Lawyers Professional Corporation, Mississauga. Mr. Jagmohan Singh Nanda, founder, Nanda & Associate Lawyers, and Ms. Sabrina Hussain in the joint presentation said that HST as it relates to the real estate industry. The awareness of HST among the new home buyers is very low. The interactive session covered topics such as HST on commercial properties, exemption of resale homes from HST, HST rebates for new homes and new condos, qualifying for the HST rebate as a purchaser through the builder, qualifying for the HST rebate as an investor, and claiming the HST rebate when flipping a new house or new condo. Chamber president, Mr. Jain , himself being a practicing CGA, also emphasized need of understanding this complex subject and advised audiences to seek guidance from professional. Mr. Tony Chawla, gave vote of thanks.
December 18: Mr. Jain and Mr. Brij Sharma met Ms. Carmen Jacques, CPA, CGA, business development officer, CPA, Ontario. They discussed opportunities of CPA, Ontario being Chamber sponsor and organizing joint events for mutual benefits.
December 18: Mr. Dharma Jain, Mr. Naval Bajaj and Mr. Tony Chawla participated in a live TV broad cast show at South Asian Channel of Rogers TV to promote ICCC Winter Gala and India Mission 2015.
December 19: Dharma P Jain met Mr. Gurpreet Singh, Country Head, UAE Exchange to discuss the opportunities of mutual cooperation, organizing joint events and future sponsorship.
December 22: Mr. Dharma P Jain had a luncheon meeting with Mr. Shaun Rath, Regional Director, Strategy Implementation, BDC and other BDC representatives to discuss the possible sponsorship opportunity for the year 2015-16. Mr. Jain briefed them with the different levels of sponsorship available with ICCC. Mr. Shaun promised to review sponsorship packages. They also discussed scope of organizing joint events.
December 26: President Mr. Jain and Immediate Past President Mr. Bajaj and Director Ajay Gupta attended luncheon meeting with Mr. Rajesh Gupta, CEO and President State Bank of India (Canada) and other officials to discuss Canada India business relations, economic reforms in India, CEPA and sponsorship opportunities for the coming year.
December 30: Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce organised a small briefing session for the India Mission 2015 delegates. Mr. Dharma P Jain said that the chamber is leading India mission delegation from the last three years coincides with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. India mission 2015 will be the fourth Mission. Delegates will also attend the Vibrant Gujarat Summit at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Over 40 delegates have registered with Chamber. In our past missions, over 300 delegates have participated in our activities in different Indian cities. All the queries were answered during the briefing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
26 January 2015
Open House – ICCC Women Entrepreneurs & Professionals (WEP)
28 January 2015
Estate Planning: Investment Strategies for different Life stages
For details please see www.iccconline.org
ICCC in news
Interview of ICCC president Mr. Dharma P Jain with South Asian Week
http://canadianimmigrant.ca/work-and-education/ethnic-connections-pros-and-cons-of-community-specific-mentoring
http://zeenews.india.com/news/education/iccc-seeks-permanent-residency-status-for-foreign-students_1520100.html
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-12-25/news/57395576_1_indo-canada-chamber-foreign-students-immigration-policy
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-01-04/news/36148768_1_indo-canada-chamber-iccc-canada-and-india
SUGGESTIONS
Your new board is committed to make this esteemed organization member friendly, open, transparent, and truly a business organization working to achieve its mission and vision.
Board is considering of -
i) Publishing achievements of members in the upcoming issues of ICCC newsletter. Therefore, members are advised to send their achievements such as new position, additional qualification, awards etc. at iccc@iccconline.org.
ii) Publishing articles on different topics involving trade, commerce, tax etc. Interested writers can send their articles (500 words) at iccc@iccconline.org.
iii) Starting blogs on Chamber's website. Send your resumes and subjects you wish to write a blog.
iv) Constituting a newsletter committee. Those who have flare of writing, designing and passionate about this, send in their resumes at iccc@iccconline.org.
Board is there to steer this august body in the direction provided by articles and by-laws and ensuring that interest of various stakeholders is protected.
Board invites your suggestions and opinions regarding future events, newsletter content, and ask you to get engaged more and more and participate in Chamber events. You are the true ambassador of Chamber and your board is working for you in. Please feel free in contacting any board member.
Please feel free in sending your suggestions and recommendations at president@iccconline.org or iccc@iccconline.org.
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DISCLAIMER
The above material is compiled by Chamber and is being used solely for its membership. Any unauthorized use of this newsletter and its contents are strictly prohibited.
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