Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce’s (ICCC) India Mission 2014 reached Mumbai for a two-day stopover on January 14 and January 15. The delegation participation in a multi-sector conference and B2B meetings organized by the All-India Association of Industries and the World Trade Centre on the first day.

Subsequently, the delegation participated in a breakfast session organized by Hon. Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister for Natural Resources, visited the headquarters of Eros International, one of Indian cinema’s largest film production and distribution companies with a global footprint.

The grand finale in Mumbai was a business reception jointly organized by the Canadian Consulate in Mumbai, the Government of Alberta and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). The theme of the reception was India's energy security: Canada, a partner of choice.

AIAI-WTC Mumbai conference

ICCC’s MoU partners – the All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and the World Trade Centre (WTC) organized a conference on ‘Exploring agriculture, education and energy sector collaboration between Canada & India’. The conference was followed by B2B meetings between the delegates of India Mission 2014 with Indian businesses.

Speaking on the occasion, Naval Bajaj, President, ICCC, emphasized the need for ceaselessly exploring trade opportunities between Canada and India, especially in the sectors where already considerable exchange has been taking place. “Agriculture, education and energy are sectors that have seen tremendous traction in recent years. And we should leverage these sectors to reach altogether different and new levels of cooperation.”

He said, in agriculture, the two-way trade is already half-a-billion dollars’ worth. In education, the number of Indian students commencing their study in Canada has increased 255% in two years – from 3,250 in 2008 to 11,543 in 2010.

Naval Bajaj explained that recently India and Canada has seen opportunities of collaborating through twinning programs where the students undertake part of the studies in India and complete them in Canada. In energy, as India’s need for energy, minerals, metals and wood products increases, Canada is well positioned to be a key supplier.

Dr. R. Gopal, representing the DY Patil University of Navi Mumbai, made an extensive presentation on the process of twinning between Canadian and Indian educational institutions, and also discussed in details, the regulatory challenges that may hinder closer cooperation in the sector.

Vijay Kalantri, President AIAI, in his remarks emphasized that for the two countries to build trade, they will need to focus on small businesses and on non-traditional sectors.

Breakfast with Joe Oliver

Canada’s Minister for Natural Resources, Hon. Joe Oliver, hosted a breakfast for the ICCC’s India Mission 2014 delegation. The Minister is in India to participate in the eleventh edition of Petrotech 2014 – the international oil and gas conference.  

During his address, the Minister said, “With our abundance of natural resources, Canada is well positioned to play a leading role in supplying the energy required to meet India’s growing demand. The Canada–India energy partnership holds enormous potential, and we are determined to seize this economic opportunity for the future benefit of Canadians and Indians alike.”

Visit to Eros International

The delegation then visited the headquarters of Eros International – one of India’s largest film production and distribution companies, with global footprints. It may be recalled, Eros International was bestowed with the first ICCC-Chanchlani Foundation Global Indian Cinema Award during ICCC’s Winter Gala 2013 (November 2013). Eros International is among the entities operating in the Indian entertainment sector that has been instrumental in making the sector truly global.

Jyoti Desphande, CEO, Eros International, informed the India Mission delegation that the company has serious plans to enter the Canadian market, and is already in talks with media and cable networks for collaborative ventures. The company plans to export television programs and also utilize the post-production facilities available in Canada. It may even consider opening an office in Canada soon if the plans fructify.

Mike Mehta in Mumbai

Business reception The Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai, the Government of Alberta and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) organized a business reception on theme India’s energy security: Canada, a partner of choice. Minister Oliver and Alberta’s premier Hon. Alison Redford were the main speakers at the event. ICCC During the reception, the following salient features about Canada’s energy sector became evident, and these factors could easily support India growing energy needs. Canada has the third-largest proven oil reserves in the world The third largest producer and exporter of natural gas Canada has the world’s largest reserves of high - grade low-cost uranium and it makes up a quarter of global production Canada is also a world leader in renewable and green energy Canada is the third largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world and the fifth largest ethanol producer

Minister Oliver said, “Our government is committed to meeting the strategic imperative of diversifying our energy markets and strengthening our position as a globally competitive exporter. With much of the spadework behind us, India and Canada are ready to enter a new era of cooperation and commerce that will help create jobs and opportunities across our country.”

Premier Redford, in her remarks, said, “India is an important emerging market and the potential for the country to be a new market for our oil and gas is enormous.”

Naval Bajaj, in his vote of thanks, spoke about the various levels at which collaboration in the sector has reached. He said, Canada is building strong ties with India to share science, technologies and trade through the Canada–India Energy Forum, memorandums of understanding and our annual bilateral merchandise trade agreements