Canada India Foundation (CIF).

With 'India Calling 08' Beginning, It'll be Virtual IMC Week in Canada from June 14
Date: 11-Jun-2008

The Indian Merchants' Chamber is all set for launching its weeklong "India Calling 2008" International Conference in Canada's two cities -- Toronto and Vancouver -- between June 14 and 20, 2008.

Considering the impressive list of VVIPs and top experts drawn from diverse fields and the meticulous preparations made for the event by the IMC in the past couple of months, it will be no exaggeration to see it as the 'IMC Week' in Canada starting from this Saturday.

IMC President, Mr M N Chaini, who presented details of this prestigious event at a press conference yesterday, said that Premiers of two States of Canada and top bureaucrats of their government would be addressing the conference.

Indeed, the recent directives of the Prime Minister of India about the need to observe austerity measures by curtailing foreign trips by government functionaries had somewhat reduced the number of Indian Ministers and officials going to the conference. "Yet, at least three Ministers from India -- two of them from Maharashtra -- will be coming there, along with top bureaucrats from key Ministries", Mr Chaini said.

The Chamber had registered 145 delegates from India, and of these 115 were representatives of key business sectors like Infrastructures, Education, ICT, Alterative Sources of Energy and Life Sciences. "Commercialization of Intellectual Property (IP) and incubation of new research-based enterprises in setting up and operating Science & Technology (R&D) Parks would also figure prominently in the conference", Mr Chaini said.

All the prominent speakers like Ontario's Minister for Industry, Mr David Emerson, Mr. Harinder S. Takhar, Minister for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman of Indian National Knowledge Commission, Mr Suresh Prabhu, Member of Indian Parliament & Former Union Minister of Power would all focus their speeches to these specific key issues, and avoid generalities.

He pointed out that Canadian and Indian businesses had strong complementary features enabling them to undertake joint venture projects. For example, India was strong in areas like management, IT support, ICT technology and specialized equipments, while Canada had strong expertise in engineering, equipment technology and environmental sciences.

Replying to a question, he said that the conference would also deliberate on increasing bilateral trade and investment by increased use of each other's logistic infrastructures like ports.

IMC's Vice-President Mr Gul Kripalani, who is also national president of Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said that the conference would, in general, strive to build an all round strategic business partnership between India and Canada, to project India and Canada as attractive investment destinations, to provide a unique platform for delegates from North America to explore opportunities offered by India, and to enable Indian businessmen to discover business opportunities in Canada and meet potential partners.

Mr Chaini said that facilities would be provided at the Toronto venue for prearranged business meetings between the delegates, in addition to arranging for business visits and on-site presentations.

Later at the Vancouver venue, the conference would, among other key issues, also discuss scope for Indo-Canadian collaborations in the alternative energy sectors like fuel cells, wind power, solar energy and bio fuel, in addition to subjects related to global warming.

P N Mogre
Secretary General
Indian Merchant Chamber (Mumbai)