Toronto: The delegates of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce’s (ICCC) India Mission 2018 continued with their high profile meetings in India. Led by ICCC President, Kanwar Dhanjal, the delegation members met Capt. Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister of Punjab, last week. The meeting resulted in the Punjab Chief Minister directing Punjab’s Department of Industries to explore the setting up of a designated help desk for people of Indian origin settled abroad, especially in Canada, to invest in Punjab.

CM Capt. Amarinder directed the Secretary, Industries and Commerce and CEO Invest Punjab, Rakesh Verma to do so. Urging the delegation, comprising the Indian diaspora, to suggest ways and means to further strengthen bilateral commerce and business ties between the two countries by scaling up trade, the Punjab Chief Minister suggested that they explore investment opportunities in sectors of mutual interest. 

ICCC India Mission 2018 delegation with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar

ICCC President Kanwar Dhanjal said such collaboration was possible in sectors such as Education, Skill Development, Agro-based Industry and Information Technology. Capt. Amarinder assured the delegation of continued synergy at all levels to ensure overall development in the core sectors of health, education, agriculture and skill development in Punjab through transfer of technology and forging of technical collaborations between Punjab and Canada.

Citing the government’s ‘Connect with Your Roots’ programme, which he launched during his UK visit in September last year, Capt. Amarinder said that this programme would go a long way to help connect youngsters, especially the third generation, who had roots here in Punjab.

It was an excellent forum to apprise them of the state’s glorious heritage, cultural legacy and rich traditions, he said, adding that a similar program should also be initiated for the youth whose parents/grandparents had immigrated to Canada from Punjab.

MoU with TPCI

Roundtable at Mohali Industries Association

Roundtable at CII. Chandigarh

Emphasising the need for regular interaction of students, traders, businessmen and progressive farmers from state with their peers in Canada, the Chief Minister said both Punjab and Canada should facilitate frequent exchange of such delegations, based on their expertise and experience, for mutual benefit.

The Chief Minister also suggested introduction of certain courses and changes in current academic curriculum to conform with the Canadian education system in order to enable the local youth to get gainful employment in Canada.

Assuring Capt. Amarinder of their wholehearted support to the government’s efforts to promote development and prosperity in Punjab, the visiting Canadian delegation led by Kanwar Dhanjal said that, as the sons and daughters of the Indian soil, it was their moral duty to contribute something tangible for the growth and prosperity of Punjab. They emphasized the need for concerted efforts to boost the level of trade between Punjab and Canada.

Dhanjal apprised the Chief Minister of the Canadian technology for converting paddy straw into plywood, which would not only help the state get rid of this menace but also help supplement the income of the farmers multifold.

Taking part in the deliberations, MLA Fatehjang Singh Bajwa underscored the need to give a fillip to the small scale sector to generate employment opportunities for the state’s youth.

Prominent among others who attended the meeting were Advisor to Chief Minister B I S Chahal, MLA Bagha Purana Darshan Singh Brar, Addition Chief Secretary Home Affairs, N S Kalsi, Principal Secretary to CM Tejveer Singh, CEO Invest Punjab and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Rakesh Verma, MD PIDB D K Tiwari, MD Punjab Agro Vikas Garg besides members of delegation including its Jag Badwal, Naresh Kumar Chavda, Pranav Patel, Priank Garg, Pradyuman Jhala, Sameer Sharma, and Jagdish Grewal.

Visit to Nirma University

Subsequent to this meeting, the ICCC delegation also met the speaker of the Punjab legislative assembly Rana KP Singh. During the course of parleys, the issue of strengthening trade relations between Punjab and Canada was debated upon.

Welcoming the delegation, Rana KP Singh said that a congenial atmosphere has been created for trade and business activities in Punjab under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh and many pro-industrial policies are being implemented in the State. He further said that the Indian community in general and Punjabi community in particular has made a lot of progress in Canada and this progress has also rubbed off positively on the Canadian economy. The Speaker appealed to the delegation members that the NRI Punjabi industrialists should come forward to contribute to the maximum extent in the development of their motherland Punjab.

Meeting with Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries