The Summit aims at bringing together business leaders, investors, corporations, thought leaders, policy and opinion makers while serving as a perfect platform to understand and explore business opportunities with the State of Gujarat. Past summits have included key businesspeople and government officials in Indian industry, including Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Group, Mr. KV Kamath, Chairman ICICI and President CII, Mr. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries, Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Birla Group, Mr. Shashi Ruia, Chairman, Essar Group, Mr, Anil Ambani, Chairman, ADAG Group, Mr. Sunil Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Enterprise among several other dignitaries.

Minister Handique Discusses Mines and Minerals Development Act

Over 50 people attended a private luncheon hosted by the Canada-India Business Council on July 9, 2010 in honour of B.K. Handique, the Union Minister of Mines and Development, and heard what they wanted.

The Minister, in Toronto to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Ontario, told the gathering that the new mining act provides for a simple, clear and transparent concession regime which encourages specialized exploration and allows full transferability of concessions. It also assures security of tenure. He referred to Canadians as “mining gurus” and said that excellent investment opportunities are available and that India welcomes Canada’s vast knowledge and experience in mining.  

Hemant Shaw of Cubex Ltd., Gold Sponsor of the event, introduced the Minister Handique and discussed  the  Minister’s excellent management of his portfolio. Silver sponsors were the Toronto Financial Services Alliance and the TSX.

The Minister pointed out that India’s economic growth has fueled a stable high demand for metals and minerals and that steels alone is growing at 11 per cent and that India is the world’s fifth largest market in steel. He also pointed out that diamonds are growing at 12 per cent, copper at 10 per cent and zinc at 10 per cent.

The Minister took questions from the audience at the end and new C-IBC members had an opportunity to network with Patrons and other Members.

Approximately 100 guests attended an early morning breakfast at the Intercontinental-Hotel Toronto Yorkville on June 28, 2010 to listen to India’s Sherpa discuss the G20, India’s economy and bilateral relationship with Canada.

Montek Singh Ahulwalia, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, was guest of honour at a C-IBC event where he spoke and participated in a moderated question and answer session with attendees. Research in Motion (RIM) was the Gold sponsor and Open Text and Bennett Jones LLP were  Silver Sponsors. Ontario’s Department of Economic Development and Trade were a Partner.

In his remarks, Dr. Ahluwalia noted that India posted a robust 8% growth despite adverse global conditions and said that a 10% growth rate was achievable in the next four to five years. He told everyone that Canadian companies have a great opportunity to participate in India’s “vibrant” private sector and spoke of a young Indian professional workforce that will transform India in that timeframe.

The Canada-India civilian nuclear agreement signed immediately after the G20 concluded, along with others India has signed, will help India raise its nuclear generating capacity from 4,000 MW to 50,000 MW in the coming years. Dr. Ahluwalia urged Canadian “green energy” companies to partner in projects in India’s ambitious solar energy plan.

During the Q&A, moderated by Bennett Jones LLP chair Hugh McKinnon, he referred to Canada as the world’s “mining guru” and said the bilateral Earth Sciences Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries will help India utilize Canadian expertise in this vital sector for India. Tom Jenkins of Open Text thanked Dr. Ahulwalia for making himself available and providing his unique perspectives.

The event provided an opportunity to engage the guest of honour and network with those at the breakfast.

The Honourable Roy MacLaren, Chair of the C-IBC, also hosted private off-the-record dinners with Anil Mukim, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and KP Krishnan, Deputy Minister of Capital Markets for the Ministry of Finance and incoming Chair of the Prime Minister’s Council of Economic Advisers. The comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Canada and India was discussed at both events.

It was the most intimate affair that the Canada-India Business Council hosted in the first quarter of 2010 but it had the same impact as the larger scale events. Sachin Pilot, India’s Minister of Communications and Information, was guest of honour at a reception and dinner on March 31, 2010 at the head office of Bennett Jones LLP. He was accompanied by key government policy makers, including Dr. Gulshan Rai, Director General DIT, Mr. Rakesh Singh, Additional Secretary, DIT and Dr. Amandeep Singh, Private Secretary to the Minister.

Minister Pilot first spent some time with senior executives of Research in Motion (RIM), Sun Life Assurance and Bennett Jones, the event’s three sponsors. He then joined the 70 other guests in attendance where he shook hands and chatted with everyone before proceeding to the dinner.

Hugh MacKinnon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bennett Jones and Rana Sarkar, President and Executive Director of the C-IBC, welcomed everyone and spoke of the emerging business and investment opportunities with India. Preeti Saran, Indian Consular General, introduced the Minister and pointed out that at 26, he became the youngest Indian MP when first elected in 2006 and has been widely described as representing the next generation of Indian leadership.

In his speech Minister Pilot discussed the exponential growth of the internet and cell phones in India and the $60-billion in IT investments that is forecasted and the opportunities this represents. There are 560-million cell subscribers in India and 15 to 18-million users are added monthly. Minister Pilot pointed out that the potential for collaboration in two areas where Canada and India must address a common challenge of geography – remote connectivity and telemedicine.

Atul Astana, Vice President, Global Standards at RIM thanked the Minister and also discussed opportunities that do and will exist between the two countries. During the buffet dinner guests mingled, exchanged business cards and talked business. It was a very worthwhile evening for all involved.

Kamal Nath, the Indian Minister of Roads and Highways, made it clear during his speech at a reception and dinner in his honour that was organized by the Canada-India Business Council. He believes a Free Trade Agreement between Canada and India would be hugely beneficial for both countries and that he was in Canada to discuss the $41-billon in investments he is seeking for road construction in India over the next 3-4 years. In fact, representatives of pension funds and private equity firms learned about opportunities to expand infrastructure contracts and investment possibilities.

The 200 people who attended the reception and dinner at Le Meriden King Edward Hotel in Toronto on March 23, 2010 heard Minister Nath talk about the difference in attitude he was seeing compared to his last visit to Canada in 2007 and that he was experiencing more openness, understanding and willingness. The speech was a mixture of humour, reality, passion and optimism and the attendees responded with a standing ovation.

Minister Nath spent the first half of the reception hour spending time and conferring with executives from event sponsors MacQuarie Capital Markets Canada, Bennett Jones LLP, Bombardier, BMO Capital Markets and Emirates Airlines.
The Government of Ontario was also a partner. Nath then proceeded to the main reception and walked around shaking hands, talking with guests and taking pictures with them.

Stanley Hartt, Chairman of MacQuarie, said in his introduction of the Minister that his company has invested $150-million his company has contributed to an Indian Infrastructure Fund that was launched with Indian partners and currently has $1-billion in investment. Michael Rayfield, Vice Chair, Investment and Corporate Banking, BMO Capital Markets thanked the Minister and noted that although he and the Minister had attended St. Xavier’s College in Kolkata, India together Minister Nath graduated and he didn’t. The Government of India expects $5- billion in Canadian (Private Sector) investment for its road sector alone over the next three to four years. The evening provided attendees with a better understanding of the renewed Canada-India business relationship, contacts and commitments to follow up.

The Indian Delegation to the PDAC Conference featured S. Vijay Kumar, Indian Secretary  (Deputy Minister) Ministry of Mines, in addition to a business delegation from the Indian mining community, and were honoured guests at a Canada-India Business Council Dinner on Monday, March 8, 2010 at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel.

Official Guests:

Mr. Vijay Kumar, Indian Secretary of Mines (Federal Deputy Minister)
Mr. Gaurav Kumar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Mines – Geological Survey of India, Hindustan Copper Ltd, NALCO

Deputy Ministers, heads of state mining companies and State governments of key mineral exploration states of Madhya Pradesh, Andra Pradesh and Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh and representatives of leading Indian mining companies attended this event.

Given the scope of the delegation and the stepped-up pace of development in the Indian subcontinent, the event was a unique opportunity for investors, fund managers, bank executives, brokers, analysts, and mining company executives to liaise with key players in Indian mining seeking partners, services and opportunities with Canadian industry and government decision makers.

Business executives, entrepreneurs and senior government officials gathered at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto on February 19, 2010 to attend a cocktail reception honouring Mr. Ratan Tata that was hosted and arranged by the Canada-India Business Council.

Mr. Tata, Chairman of The Tata Group, India’s largest conglomerate, was visiting Toronto for the first time and even though he spent about only eight hours in the city he agreed to be guest of honour at the C-IBC event. And the response was extremely enthusiastic.

Six organizations — RIM, Heenan Blaikie LLP, KPMG, MaRS, Torys LLP and Tata Consulting Services — immediately stepped up as sponsors. The 200 tickets available sold in less than 48 hours. Mr. Tata’s response was most gracious as he wanted to meet all those in attendance.

Tata spent time in a private reception with the sponsors and some C-IBC board members, then joined the main reception where he met and chatted with everyone before appearing on stage to give a speech. While shaking hands and having his picture taken with guests, hors d’oeuvres and drinks were being served and a jazz trio provided background music.

In his remarks Mr. Tata said that The Tata Group was looking for opportunities to expand its presence in Canada, pointing out that mining and technology are of interest. He reiterated the group’s corporate philosophy when he added, “We will have more presence here but it will not be intrusive. We would like to be the good corporate executives that we have been”.

The air of excitement in the room demonstrated how happy everyone was to meet Mr. Tata while having the opportunity to network at the same time.

As the Indian mining legislation finally passes through Parliament in the coming months, the stage is set for an opening up of the sector and Canadian companies as global leaders are set to play a big role.  Accordingly, the next edition of the  biennial international event (IME 2010) is being organized by The Mining, Geological & Metallurgical Institute of India (MGMI) and TAFCON Group from Friday January 22nd to Monday 25th 2010, at Netaji Stadium and Khudiram Hall Complex, Kolkata, India, concurrent with 3rd Asian Mining Congress. The 3rd Asian Mining Congress, with the theme “Resurgence of Mining in Asia: Prospects and Challenges” will be attended by experts of the World Mining Community including from India. The Congress is being organized by MGMI at Hotel Taj Bengal, Kolkata during Fri 22nd – Mon 25th January 2010. Eminent Speakers from India and abroad will debate, deliberate and exchange views on the key issues of these sectors.

The IME 2010 will provide an ideal platform to the Canadan Companies to showcase the latest in Mineral and Mining Technologies, Machinery and Equipments, R & D, Logistics, Communication, Safety and Health aspects of the Mining Industry. The event will be conclave of Policy Makers, CEOs, Industry Experts, Scientists, Engineers and Technologists associated with mining and allied sectors.  Canadan Companies and should be significant players in this prestigious event, to take advantage of the excellent opportunities being offered by the event for business growth, technology transfer, joint ventures and for identifying potential partners to boost India – Canada Trade. IME 2010 is expected to have participation from over 20 countries including Industry leaders.

The Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC) hosted the 6th Annual Diwali Dinner celebration in Toronto this November 5, 2009 at the Design Exchange in Toronto.

One of the most successful and landmark events  of the year was attended by more than 350 business and government officials of both Canada and India.

This year the Diwali Gala Dinner Co-Chairs were:

Anju Virmani, CIO, Cargojet Ltd.

George Gosbee, Chairman, Tristone Capital Inc.

Featured Keynote Speaker were:

Gerald W. Grandey, President & CEO, Cameco Corporation

Hon. Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade

The Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

Canada-China-India: A synergy in Education

September 17 2009

Building upon previous “Canada-India: A synergy in Education” events held in 2007 & 2008 respectively, Synergy 09 featured the addition of China, giving the event a broader window on opportunities for Canadian institutions.

The event at the Pearson Convention Centre near Toronto’s Pearson Airport,  was sponsored by the International Centre for Education  Inc. (ICE), in conjunction with the Canada-India Business Council & Canada-China Business Council, and attracted over 200 persons.

Synergy ‘09 discussed educational activities and opportunities in both countries,  and presents unique networking opportunities.  Sessions included Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE), Association of Community Colleges of Canada (ACCC), Association of Universities and Community Colleges of Canada (AUCC),  Blakes, Academica Group, Shastri Institute, & Canadian Education Centre Network (CECN) . The event also featured addresses by the India’s High Commissioner to Canada His Excellency  Shashishekhar M Gavrai and the Indian Consul General in Toronto The Honourable Preeti Saran.

The event succeeded to foster an exchange of ideas among those currently involved and those considering involvement in the education sector on the opportunities and support services (public and private), as well as the practical restraints and barriers that must be overcome.

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