INDIA CALLING 2008
-WD Team

Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC) is holding 'India Calling' international conference 2008 in Canada between June 14- 20 this year. India calling has been taking place each year in different countries last eight years. This year it shall happen in two cities of Canada namely, Toronto and Vancouver.

IMC's President elect Mr. M.N. Chaini says, "Canada and India have a lot of common interests. Canada is home to more than one million people of Indian origin. Bilateral trade and investment between the two is small and therefore provides vast opportunity to increase them." The theme of business will focus on these areas; education, energy, life sciences and infrastructure, besides other industries, such as, oil and gas, dry docks, IP, R&D parks, tourism, pharmaceuticals, etc. "The delegates should not feel it was just a trip but that every delegate should gain something in terms of business, knowledge, contacts and so on. Canada is very receptive in welcoming India in their market. They are strong in areas of bio-tech, alternative energy, etc. There will be sectoral meetings, visits and one-on-one meetings. Currently the daily business between both countries is about $3 million. Canada has lot to offer in terms of minerals, oil, geo-thermal, etc. It is indeed a huge unexplored continent. Hence we expect delegates from all smaller cities too besides Mumbai."

There shall be visits to universities, gems and mineral centres, vineyards, gaming institute besides visits to other industry areas. "We expect about 80- 100 delegates from which 10 are coming from USA itself and so far about 60-65 delegates have confirmed," revealed Mr. Chaini. Some of the Indian ministers and policy makers participating are: Mr. Vayalar Ravi, Union minister of oversees Indian affairs; Mr. Kapil Sibal, Union minister of science, technology and ocean development; Mrs. D. Purandeswari, Union minister of state for higher education; Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman of knowledge commission, etc. Those from Canada participating are: Mr. Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario; Mr. David Emerson, minister for industry; Ms. Sandra Pupatello, minister of economic development and trade; Mr. Harinder S. Takhar, minister for small business and entrepreneurship; Mr. Gordon Campbell, Premier of Canadian state of British Columbia.