MARKHAM, Local News - Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) President Satish Thakkar, and Markham Councillor and Economic Development Committee Chair Carolina Moretti announced, at a press conference held at the Markham Convergence Centre on Monday, February 6th, the results of a highly successful 12-day business mission to India and Dubai in January of this year.
The trip, which also included representatives of small- and medium-sized businesses from Markham, was part of Markham's overall global economic strategy to strengthen business relationships with India and Dubai.
India Mission 2012 took the Markham delegation to the cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, and Dubai, with the intention of advancing relations with business leaders and investors. Building on the 2009 India mission, and Markham-based India events from 2011, the delegation strove to promote Markham as an investment opportunity, and to begin relationships with business chambers in these cities seeking business-to-business opportunities.
"It was a tremendous success," said ICCC President Satish Thakkar. "In the last 35 years of our Chamber history, it was one of the best trips we ever had to India."
Markham Councillor and Economic Development Committee Chair Carolina Moretti and ICCC President Satish Thakkar sharing mission results
In those 12 days, Mayor Scarpitti, Mr. Thakkar, and the other delegates attended over 25 meetings and met with over 500 business people and government officials - formalizing partnerships, networking, and visiting technology hubs. It was during this trip that Mr. Thakkar was bestowed the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by India's president, Pratibha Patil. The award, the highest honour given by the Indian government to non-resident Indians or institutions run by Indians abroad, was handed out at the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 9th, 2012.
Other highlights of the trip include meeting Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Commerce for the State of Rajasthan; Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of the State of Gujarat; and Mumbai Mayor, Shraddha Jadhav; as well as visiting Dubai Internet City, one of the UAE’s free economic zones, and Venture Center, a technology incubator similar to the Markham Convergence Centre.
Mayor Scarpitti noted that there is an opportunity to introduce cities such as the ones visited by the delegation to North American markets.
"What I have been most impressed with, I think, that federally and provincially, both levels of government have created the right framework to do business with India."
In attendance at the Markham/ICCC press conference (left to right, top to bottom): Chantal Deslodges, Chantal Deslodges ; Terry Sahw, Topnotch Employment Services Inc.; Ruby Maini, President and CEO, HR Strategies Consulting Inc.; Moe Anwar, RBC Dominion Securities
The trade mission focused on four key areas of industry, which includes life sciences and information & communication technology; professional, scientific, and tech services (such as engineering, architecture, planning, etc.); financial services; and higher education.
TOP PHOTO: (l-r) ICCC President Satish Thakkar, Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Indian Consul General Preeti Saran holding copies of the India Mission 2012 report (all photos copyright of Alex Urosevic/iPhotoLive.com)
