1. Friday, October 11, 2013. Role of Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce in the Economic Integration of Indo-Canadians Presentation by Naval Bajaj President, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce At conference on Indo-Canadians: Dimensions of Economic Integration

2. Overview of ICCC 36-year-old Canadian business organization Oldest & largest business and Diaspora organization of Canadians of Indian origin Fosters bilateral economic relations between Canada & India Creates business & professional opportunities for the Indian Diaspora Promotes small businesses & facilitates their entry into global markets Organize B2B meetings, workshops, interactive sessions, business receptions & networking events with decision makers, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, government officials, representatives of chambers of commerce, & industry associations

3. Our members Mostly Canadians of Indian origin Largely, first-generation immigrants Burgeoning membership amongst newcomers Small business entrepreneurs & professionals Young professionals What do they seek? Opportunities to expand business & professional networks Integrate with the Canadian mainstream Gain competitive edge by gaining access to global markets Stay focussed on suburban roots

4. Our focus Immigrants from India turn to entrepreneurship in Canada soon after their settlement because of lack of appropriate employment opportunities that match their experience & skills ICCC helps small business to enlarge their professional networks, introduce them to mainstream business opportunities, interact with professional & government organizations, & help them acquire competitive edge through globalization

5. ICCC & Small Businesses – 1 Canada: Small businesses account for 45% of GDP, 75% of net employment growth, and 60% of all jobs India: Small businesses account for 20% of India's GDP, 65 million jobs and 45% of manufacturing & exports Small businesses resist downturns, stabilize employment & income levels Success of large corporations dependent on small businesses Successful job creators & & wealth generators Macro picture:

6. Small businesses: Manufacturing Food processing Aerospace Automotive industries Business services Clean technology Digital media IT ICCC & Small Businesses – 2 Professions: Accountancy Financial Services Law Academics Professional Services Life sciences Tourism Composition of ICCC’s small business & professional members

7. Customized and general programs to help small business build linkages with suburban cities – these cities are centre of small businesses (Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Chatham-Kent, Calgary) Create platforms for small businesses such as a Hard Hats tour at an established & successful business owned & operated by a Canadian of Indian origin (visits to Metro Labels, Novo Plastics, Hans Dairy, etc.) ICCC & Small Businesses – 3 What we do for small businesses?

8. Interactive sessions with Export Development Canada, pre-budget & CEPA consultations with federal & provincial governments, showcasing of opportunities by municipalities Annual India Missions focussed on exploring business opportunities – India Mission 2013 was largest-ever Canadian business delegation with 200 small business owners participating (visit to 8 cities: (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, New Delhi, Amritsar & Jalandhar) ICCC & Small Businesses – 4 What we do for small businesses? - continued

9. ICCC will be leading India 2014 focussing on: Agriculture & Agri-food Education Energy Infrastructure ICCC & Small Businesses – 5 What we do for small businesses? - continued

10. ICCC & Indian Diaspora in Canada ICCC believes Indo-Canadians need to integrate into the Canadian mainstream & works to promote this objective To meet this need, in June 2011, ICCC & Government of India organized a global convention of the Indian Diaspora with a theme of Building Bridges: Positioning Strategies for the Indian Diaspora Combined strength of Indian Diaspora and mainstream India Watchers will be critical factors for strengthening Canada India Partnerships

11. Economic integration of Indo-Canadians into the Canadian mainstream is ICCC’s main objective It is a win-win preposition for Canada & the Indian Diaspora To Conclude: