News 

  • 02 Oct 2017 6:30 PM | Anonymous
    Meet your new board   
     
    Directors committed to take ICCC to new heights 
     
     From l to r (seated) Ajay Tandon, Devika Penekelapati, Kanwar Dhanjal, Pramod Goyal, Abubakkar Noohujohn,
    (standing): Tauseef Sheikh, Nareshkumar Chavda, Pranav Patel, Sanjay Brahmbhatt

    At the first meeting of the board of directors of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce held earlier this week, the President Mr. Kanwar Dhanjal announced the portfolios of the new board members. The new board comprises nine elected directors. It may be recalled that on September 21, 2017, at the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting, the members elected six new directors for a two-year term, and three directors are in the middle of their two year term.

    Prior to assigning the new responsibilities, Mr. Dhanjal held intensive discussions with the directors to gauge their interests and aptitude and together the board charted out a daring and ambitious path for the Chamber for the next 12 months.

    “Our target will be to enhance our outreach, enhance membership and sponsorship, and to ensure connectivity with members,” Mr. Dhanjal said.

    The new board and their portfolios

    Kanwar DhanjalPresident: Mr. Dhanjal is a technocrat with more than 25 years’ experience in the instrumentation and automation services industry. He is founder of Just Instruments Inc. which is a pioneer in the field of process control industry.

    Devika PenekelapatiCorporate Secretary & Vice President, Sponsorship: Ms. Penekelapati is a founder and Managing Partner of Borders Law Firm, a boutique immigration law firm in Toronto. She has extensive experience of Canadian immigration law.

    Pramod GoyalVice President, Finance: Mr. Goyal is the Senior Vice President and CEO of Canadawide Financial Corporation Limited, a business advisory and management consulting firm. He is a business strategist and a management consultant with over three decades’ experience.

    Ajay TandonVice President, Programs and Events:  Mr. Tandon is the CEO of Canadian Travel Services, a fast growing complete travel solution and aviation company specializing in projects across the globe.

    Nareshkumar ChavdaVice President, Membership & Government Relations: A licensed Immigration Consultant, Mr. Chavda is the President Globayan Immigration Corporation, with its headquarters in Toronto and representatives offices located in India.

    Abubakkar NoohujohnDirector, Affinity Programs, Business Development & Councils Affairs: Mr. Noohujohn is the CEO of the Nrich Group, President of Airbond Travel and has recently been appointed as the Canadian representative of the NEST Group of India.

    Sanjay BrahmbhattDirector, Trade, Commerce, Mining & Energy:  Mr. Brahmbhatt is a small entrepreneur with over 20 year experience in the field of Business Development, Sales and marketing in India, Dubai (U.A.E.) and Canada.

    Pranav PatelDirector, Legal Affairs & Membership:  Mr. Patel is a barrister, solicitor and notary public. He has an outstanding reputation in the legal community, and enriched experience in the public and private sectors.

    Tauseef SheikhDirector, Sponsorship, New Immigrants & Mentorship: Mr. Sheikh is with HSBC Bank. He is a seasoned, top-performing banking professional with experience in Global Banking, Retail Banking and Wealth Management.

    A day later, the new board officially met the Consul General of India in Toronto Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia. The Consul General congratulated the new board and assured the Indian Consulate’s continued support to all bilateral promotional activities that the ICCC would undertake. Over the years, and especially during Ambassador Bhatia’s tenure, the Indian Consulate and the ICCC have forged close ties to promote bilateral trade between Canada and India. 
     
     ICCC board with CG Bhatia


  • 21 Sep 2017 10:00 PM | Anonymous
    Kanwar Dhanjal elected   
     
    ICCC's 29th President
     
    Committed to enhancing member connectivity 
     
     Kanwar Dhanjal

    Kanwar Dhanjal was unanimously elected the 29th President of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) Thursday, September 21, 2017, by his eight colleagues, six of whom including Mr. Dhanjal were earlier elected to a two-year term to the board. The elections were held online and recorded an unprecedented 63 percent participation from the Chamber’s members.

    Dhanjal is a technocrat by profession, having more than 25 years’ experience in the automation and instrumentation industry right from an engineer to a director. He is founder of Just Instruments Inc. which provides instrumentation and automation services in the field of process control for the last six years. He has been Chair of ICCC’s Energy Committee for the last two years and the Chair of the ICCC’s Gala committee in 2015. He is a Rotarian with Rotary Club of Brampton and has participated in many volunteer activities with club. He is also the Chair of the International Trade Committee of Brampton Board of Trade. 

    An elated Mr. Dhanjal, speaking about his priorities after becoming the President, said his endeavour would be to encourage his team of directors to build a direct connection with the members. “Connectivity with members is the key to our growth,” he said, and declared that his aim would be to enhance the membership of the Chamber and build upon the previous year’s growth and take it to at least 1,000 in the next year.

    “We have challenges on two critical fronts – sponsorship and membership. Without making any high-sounding claims, I want to assure the general body that on both these front, my team will show extraordinary achievements when we meet here again next year,” he added.


       
    Devika Penekelapati   Abu Becker   Ajay Tandon
             
       
    Naresh Chavda   Sanjay Brahmbhatt   Pramod Goyal
             
       
    Pranav Patel   Sheikh Tauseef   Arun Srivastava
     
    Mr. Dhanjal also pledged to ensure that the new board would continue on the path of fiscal prudence. He said, “I also pledge that our team will offer a better, concrete, tangible and inclusive board that will create a new benchmark in reaching out to members, stakeholders, sponsors and the Canadian business community.”

    Terming the 2017 election as a major shift in paradigm, Mr. Dhanjal said that the directors elected at the 2017 Annual General Meeting of the ICCC represented the younger generation that aspires to transform the Chamber and make it more receptive of the changing business and economic environment.

    He said the Indo-Canadian community is rising demographically, and manifesting its presence in all spheres of Canadian society. It is time for the Chamber to rejig its priorities and make the institution relevant to the members, stakeholders and sponsors.

    The other directors who have been re-elected along with Mr. Dhanjal for a two-year term include Mr. Ajay Tandon and Mr.Abu Becker. The new directors who have been elected for the first time are Mr. Pramod Goyal, Mr. Pranav Patel and Mr.Sheikh Tauseef. Three other directors, who are in the middle of their two-year term, are Ms. Devika Penekelapati, Mr. Naresh Chavda, and Mr. Sanjay Brahmbhatt.

    The AGM was attended by over 150 members, a majority of whom participated in a lively discussion on all the agenda items, which included a report on the sale of the building by the corporate secretary, and a report by the Chamber’s audit committee chair Mr. Imtiaz Seyid.

    Corporate Secretary Ms. Penekelapati initiated the meeting and then handed over the proceedings to the chair Mr. Rakesh Goenka, a former President of the ICCC. Mr. Ajit Khanna, also a former President of the Chamber and Mr. Jagdish Bajaj, a former Vice President of the Chamber, oversaw the ballot counting online and declared the results.

    Altogether 12 candidates had contested elections for the six vacancies on the board. Mr. Dhanjal invited all the candidates to rededicate themselves to working for the Chamber.  A number of past presidents, vice presidents, and board members participated in the meeting.

    Mr. Arun Srivastava, the outgoing President, thanked his board for making his tenure memorable and one that was full of accomplishments.


    Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce
    924 The East Mall Toronto ON M9B 6K1
    Tel: 416-224-0090416-224-0090 . 

    Fax: 416-916-0086. 
    E-mail: iccc@iccconline.org 

    Website: www.iccconline.org



  • 15 Sep 2017 9:00 AM | Anonymous
    ICCC Newsletter  
     
    September 2017  
                                                                  
    Letter from the President
     

    Interaction with Minister Bardish Chagger on proposed fair tax plan


    The federal government is conducting Canada-wide consultations on the Fair Tax proposals announced by the federal finance minister on July 18. The consultations will continue till October 2. The proposals have been greeted with near-universal condemnation from small business owners. This is because the proposed changes will hit the vulnerable sections more than other sections. The proposed changed will affect hundreds of thousands of independent businesses, professionals and taxpayers across a wide range of sectors and regions. These changes are coming at a time when business owners are already facing a myriad of additional costs, including Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance premium increases for the next several years and new provincial policies around carbon pricing and labour reforms. 
     
     Click here to read the: Letter from President

    Minister Bardish Chagger meets ICCC's small business owners to discuss Fair Tax proposals
     

     ICCC leaders and small business owners with Minister Chagger 
     
     Click here to read the report: Meeting
     Insight
     

    Do Higher Interest Rates Cause Lower House Prices?

    Not necessarily, says David Larock


     
    I have always enjoyed challenging widely held beliefs, probably because so many of them fall apart upon closer examination. Most recently, my contrarian radar started going off in the summer as talk of a Canadian housing bubble increased from a simmer to a boil. One of the most common justifications used in the argument that our house prices are due for a precipitous fall is that rock bottom interest rates have nowhere to go but up. When rates increase, the argument goes, affordability decreases and prices have to fall or buyers will be priced out of the market. Fair enough. It’s true that when interest rates increase, the cost of borrowing becomes more expensive, and it’s reasonable to assume that our historically low interest rates are more likely to increase than decrease over time. Bubble talkers regularly cite both factors when making their case, and after much repetition, consumers accept the conclusions that are drawn from these assumptions as valid. Far be it for me to let real data get in the way of a good round of group think, but alas, I do enjoy tipping over the apple cart, so here goes.                             
     
    Click here to read the speech: Insight
     
         
     EDC Trade Insights  Export Guide BDC Business Desk 

    Download
    Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting

     
    Click here for more:  Click here to download:  Click here for more: 
     Trade Insights  Trade Commissioners' Service Export Guide Business Desk 

    Business Snippets   Programs & Events   Global Tenders

           
    A brief summary of the most
    significant economic news
    during recent days.




     

    A quick recap of the recent
    & forthcoming ICCC 
    programs and events






      A list of latest
    Global Tenders
    floated by the
    Government of India.




    Click here for more: 
    Business Snippets
      Click here for more: 
    Programs and Events
      Click here for more: 
    Global Tenders

    ICCC app
    Download ICCC phone app and stay connected on the go! 
     

     
    Advertising, Outreach, Social Media

    Information about Indo-Canada Chamber of CommerceXXXXXXXXXXX

    • Membership
    • Advertising
    • New Initiatives
    • Social Media
    • Disclaimer
      To read more, click here: About Newsletter


     A big Thank you to all our Sponsors: Click here to meet our 2016-2017 Sponsors: 
    ICCC's 2016-17 Partners in Success 


  • 13 Sep 2017 6:30 PM | Anonymous

    "Build your competitive edge in the 21st Century" 

    ICCC hosts Murali Murthy in its wrap-up event for the fiscal year


    On September 13, 2017, at its fiscal year wrap-up meet, the ICCC was host to Murali Murthy, acclaimed Public Speaker, Life Coach and the Author of the Canadian bestseller You Are HIRED! and the ACE Series of Books - The ACE Principle, The ACE Awakening and The ACE Abundance.

    “Personal Branding is the most powerful self-marketing strategy to achieve personal and professional success,” Murali stressed in his riveting talk on “How to develop your competitive edge.”

    He underlined the need to have a strong online presence, as a first step toward personal branding.

    “Branding is about getting your prospects to see you as the only one that provides a solution to their challenge and fills an immediate need.”

    He concluded by reminding that success is all around us and by following his success formula under the acronym ACE - Absorb Comprehend Excel, we can all achieve everything that we set out to do.
  • 11 Sep 2017 6:30 PM | Anonymous
    Mix and Mingle
     
     ICCC’s WEP committee’s meeting that combines business with fun     
                                                                                            
     
     The WEP group

    Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC)’s Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals (WEP) Committee organised Mix and Mingle, a fabulous get together of women entrepreneurs and professionals at the Grazie Italian restaurant earlier this week.

    Speaking on the occasion Devika Penekelapati, Corporate Secretary and Vice President, Events and Sponsorship, ICCC, informed the guests of the hoary traditions of the Chamber and the various ways in which it was engaging with community and business leaders. She also spoke about the unique role that the WEP committee has created for itself in the Chamber.

    Ajay Tandon, Director, Tourism and Hospitality, while addressing the audience, emphasized the positive role that the Chamber’s members were performing in steadily taking the ICCC ahead in a new direction. He said that there were tremendous benefits of joining the Chamber and urged everyone to enrol new members.

    Shibani Sahney, chair of WEP also spoke on the occasion and listed the many accomplishments of the Chamber.
       
       
       
       
       

    Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce
    924 The East Mall Toronto ON M9B 6K1
    Tel: 416-224-0090416-224-0090 . 

    Fax: 416-916-0086. 
    E-mail: iccc@iccconline.org 

    Website: www.iccconline.org


  • 17 Aug 2017 6:19 AM | Anonymous
    ICCC Newsletter  
     
    August 2017  
                                                                  
    Letter from the President
     

    NAFTA 2.0: Let's have the same urgency to conclude CEPA 



    As the President of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) I believe that our Chamber has the twin responsibilities of promoting NAFTA 2.0 as well as taking its lessons to apply to the prolonged CEPA negotiations. A majority of our members are small entrepreneurs who may be able to leverage their businesses to be able to export to the United States if the NAFTA 2.0 negotiations can be made to benefit them. Similarly, the core principles of the treaty are equally applicable to the Canada-India trade agreement and ICCC will definitely urge CEPA negotiators to imbibe and implement the outcomes of the NAFTA negotiations in conducting and concluding CEPA.

     Click here to read the: Letter from President

     Insight
     
     NAFTA 2.0: Who wants what and why - an in-depth analysis


    Former US President George Bush signs the NAFTA agreement in 1992 
     
    Insight brings a detailed analysis of the NAFTA negotiations that are at present underway between Canada, the United States of America and Mexico. The analysis includes the demands of all the three signatories to the agreement that was a precursor to globalisation. In the last 25 years since the agreement was signed, the world has changed. It is imperative for the agreement to reflect the new realities of global trade and to address critical issues such as job losses and the disintegration of the manufacturing sector in Canada and the United States for which NAFTA is being blamed.                        
     
    Click here to read the speech: Insight
     
         
     EDC Trade Insights  Export Guide BDC Business Desk 

    Download
    Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting

     
    Click here for more:  Click here to download:  Click here for more: 
     Trade Insights  Trade Commissioners' Service Export Guide Business Desk 

    Business Snippets   Programs & Events   Global Tenders

           
    A brief summary of the most
    significant economic news
    during recent days.




     

    A quick recap of the recent
    ICCC's programs and events






      A list of latest
    Global Tenders
    floated by the
    Government of India.




    Click here for more: 
    Business Snippets
      Click here for more: 
    Programs and Events
      Click here for more: 
    Global Tenders

    ICCC app
    Download ICCC phone app and stay connected on the go! 
     

     
    Advertising, Outreach, Social Media

    Information about Indo-Canada Chamber of CommerceXXXXXXXXXXX

    • Membership
    • Advertising
    • New Initiatives
    • Social Media
    • Disclaimer
      To read more, click here: About Newsletter


     A big Thank you to all our Sponsors: Click here to meet our 2016-2017 Sponsors: 
    ICCC's 2016-17 Partners in Success 


  • 19 Jul 2017 12:00 PM | Anonymous
    Talking Trade with Andrew Scheer
     
    ICCC members interact with Conservative Party of Canada's new leader 

    Andrew Scheer with ICCC board members and senior members

    Andrew Scheer, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, the official opposition in the Federal Parliament, visited the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) headquarters on 19 July 2017 to discuss the Canada India bilateral relations.

    Mr. Scheer is the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. He was first elected Member of Parliament for Regina-Qu’Appelle by defeating the longest-serving member of the House of Commons. He held the position of Speaker of the House of Commons for four years, becoming the youngest Speaker in Canadian history. Andrew has been re-elected in 2006, 2008, and 2011, and since the 2015 election has served as the Official Opposition House Leader.

    Mr. Arun Srivastava, President ICCC in his welcome remarks said that the Canada – India relations have been strengthened in the last decade but still a lot more needed to be done to tap the full potential of both the countries.

    Mr. Srivastava said that the early completion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is in the interest of both the nations. India is the fastest growing economy and Canada should engage it in getting the maximum benefits for its already developed industrial knowhow and energetic entrepreneurial capabilities.

    Mr. Andrew Scheer in his remarks said that his party is closely working with the government and extending the full support to the government on the national issues and the issues in favour of the small and medium entrepreneurs. Canadian economy is doing well and the benefits of the growth should be felt by the common Canadians. 

     
     Chatting across the table


  • 18 Jul 2017 6:30 PM | Anonymous

    ICCC felicitates volunteers

    Celebrating Volunteerism!

    The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) has a special affinity for volunteers and volunteerism. This is because the Chamber benefits immensely from volunteerism. Right from the committee member who organizes the programs to the President of the Chamber and the board of directors, everyone who has helped built the chamber to what it has become during the last four decades has been, is, and will be a volunteer.

    Recognizing volunteers’ contribution to the Chamber is a much anticipated and eagerly awaited annual event. This year was no exception. The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce celebrated volunteerism by honouring its volunteers and handing out certificates of appreciation. In an important precedent, the Chamber also singled out four volunteers who went above and beyond their responsibilities as committee members and contributed significantly to the Chamber’s multifarious activities.

    These superstar volunteers are:

    • Jay Banerjei
    • Gursharan Kandra
    • Jasveen Rattan
    • Chirag Shah
    • Harleen Dhanjal 

    Thanks to the contributions of these volunteers, their committees were able to perform exceptionally. They made the Chamber look good. 

    Jay Banerjei

    Gursharan Kandra 

     Jasveen Rattan

     Chirag Shah

     

     Harleen Dhanjal

     Audience at the event

    Speaking on the occasion, Arun Srivastava, President, ICCC, said, “The Chamber Volunteering offers incredible opportunities, priceless professional development which enhances business and careers. Volunteering provides a sense of fulfillment and a perfect platform for anyone wanting to expose their leadership potential. By working with others, sharing experiences and identifying best practices, one starts to identify key qualities and considers how to develop these qualities in themselves. Serving on one of the Chamber’s committees is a great way to learn about the organization and volunteering is something that anyone can do.”

    Devika Penkelapati, Vice President, Programs and Events, emceed the program, and emphasized that volunteerism is quintessential Canadian characteristic that has become an integral part of the Chamber’s functioning. He invited all the members of the board who were present at the program – Pathik Baxi, Ajay Tandon, Kanwar Dhanjal, Abubakkar Noohujohn, Pappur Shankar, Sanjay Brahmbhatt, Janak Bhawnani and himself – to come to the forefront to be acknowledged for their volunteerism for the Chamber.


  • 16 Jul 2017 6:15 AM | Anonymous
    ICCC Newsletter  
     
    July 2017  
                                                                  
    Letter from the President
     

    Canada 150

    The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) is a Canadian organisation that has represented the Indo-Canadian business community for the last four decades. These four decades have to be seen in the perspective of the 150 years of Canada that we celebrated earlier this month. In these decades, Canada has become a truly multicultural nation that has nurtured and nourished entrepreneurs who have made this land their home.

    In celebrating Canada’s sesquicentennial we must necessarily underscore its unique place in the comity of nations. It is a land that has been made by the ingenuity of immigrants who have turned this nation into a land of hope and opportunity. It has continued to welcome people from all races and all denomination with open arms and has made them all feel welcome and wanted.

    The changing dynamics of the land and participatory democracy always leads to modifications of the core principles on which nationhood is formed. In Canada’s case this change in dynamics has lead to a more open society which has treated newcomers with the respect that is both unique and unprecedented.

     Click here to read the: Letter from President

     Insight
     

    Interest rate hike

     ICCC presents different viewpoints
                               

    The interest rate hike is going to leave its mark onCanadian exporters

    Omar Allam and Natalie Ciavarella argue that the The Bank of Canada’s decision to increase interest rates,while necessary, will put upward pressure on the loonie, making life more difficultfor exporters

    Good News Or Bad? Making Sense Of Rising Interest Rates

    Wayne Karl delves on the future: Are more increases in theoffing? What does it all mean? How will it affect you?

    Click here to read the speech: Insight
     
         
     EDC Trade Insights  Export Guide BDC Business Desk 

    Download
    Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting

     
    Click here for more:  Click here to download:  Click here for more: 
     Trade Insights  Trade Commissioners' Service Export Guide Business Desk 

    Business Snippets   Programs & Events   Global Tenders

           
    A brief summary of the most
    significant economic news
    during recent days.




     

    A quick recap of the recent
    ICCC's programs and events






      A list of latest
    Global Tenders
    floated by the
    Government of India.




    Click here for more: 
    Business Snippets
      Click here for more: 
    Programs and Events
      Click here for more: 
    Global Tenders

    ICCC app
    Download ICCC phone app and stay connected on the go! 
     

     
    Advertising, Outreach, Social Media

    Information about Indo-Canada Chamber of CommerceXXXXXXXXXXX

    • Membership
    • Advertising
    • New Initiatives
    • Social Media
    • Disclaimer
      To read more, click here: About Newsletter


     A big Thank you to all our Sponsors: Click here to meet our 2016-2017 Sponsors: 
    ICCC's 2016-17 Partners in Success 


  • 10 Jul 2017 5:00 PM | Anonymous
     
     

    ICCC welcomes Preeti Saran, 
    Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, India 
     
    Former CG of India in Toronto confident Canada – India ties enhancing exponentially
     
     
     Preeti Saran (third from right), Dinesh Bhatia (third from left), and Munu Mahawar (second from left)
    along with ICCC board and past presidents
     

    The Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) organised a joint reception with Consulate General of India in Toronto in honor of Ms. Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India on her visit to Canada on 10th July 2017. She was accompanied by Mr. Munu Mahawar, Joint Secretary, Americas Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

    Mr. Arun Srivastava, President ICCC welcomed the guests and said that the chamber is working very closely with the consulate office. Last month, our Chamber collaborated with the Consul General of India in Toronto, Dinesh Bhatia to organise a unique bilateral business symposium to push the bilateral economic agenda to the forefront of the Canada – India relations.

    The Canada – India Business Symposium held on June 9 in Toronto was a one-of-a-kind unique business meet that witnessed the participation of decision makers and influencers from all levels of the Canadian government, leaders from the world of business, corporate executives and small business owners.  Over 130 Indian small business owners participated in the symposium, making it one of the most well-represented business events ever to be organised in the Canada – India corridor.

    Ms. Saran in her remarks said that Canada – India relations are progressing well. The relations got a quantum jump after the signing of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the two countries. The visits of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh set the pace of bilateral relations.

         
     Arun Srivastava  Preeti Saran  Dinesh Bhatia
    The last visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada in 2015 provided a much-needed impetus to the bilateral ties in all the fields and paved the way for strengthening strategic cooperation among the two countries. There are a number of sectors such as aerospace, automobiles, agriculture, advanced technologies where both the countries can cooperate. She also recalled her tenure as Consul General in Toronto when the Year of India was celebrated in Canada.

    The year 2011 was marked with the biggest overseas diaspora event PBDCanada2011 in which the ICCC played a major role in the successful completion of the program and it was adjudged as the best overseas PBD.

    Mr. Dinesh Bhatia, Consul General of India in Toronto said that Indian government is working hard to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Mr. Bhatia also introduced Preeti Saran to the audience.

    ICCC board members Ms. Devika Penekelapati, Mr. Pappur Shankar, Mr. Kanwar Dhanjal, Mr. Abu Becker were present at the program along with some past presidents, advisory board members and members of ICCC. 
     
     Preeti Saran addressing the gathering