By a reporter
TORONTO: Even as India-Canada relations plumb new depths after the expulsions of tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats by New Delhi and Ottawa, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce president Chirag Shah says the relationship will emerge from this crisis as people-to-people and business ties between the two countries are very strong.
“I am sure political differences between the two countries will be sorted out because of our very strong people-to-people relations and solid cultural understanding. India is a big market of 1.4 billion and everybody wants to be there. In the long run, our relationship will be back to normal,” says Shah.
Though the trade between India and Canada is growing by more than five per cent, there is a lot more room for growth in the bilateral ties, he says.
“Canadian businesses want to go to India. Even some Canadian cities have approached us to go to India to showcase opportunities to attract investment. We are providing them guidance on tapping investment from India,” says Shah.
“Canadian pensions funds are already in a big because they have confidence in India. They are long-term players.”
For Indian companies, Shah says, Canada is a stepping stone to the whole of North America once they come here.
“Moreover, we are telling Indian businesses that because of the current situation, skilled manpower in Canada is available at comparatively cheaper rates than in the US.”
Since he took over as its president, the ICCC has been super busy organizing events and seminars to educate start-ups and SMEs about the opportunities and problems in the two countries.
he says.
At these event and seminars, he says, businesses are taught how to increase their valuation.
Since cyber security has become a big challenge in recent times, the ICCC recently invited exeprts to gove tips to business to avoid this trap.
“We also did a growth webinar and how Canadians can join the start-up eco-system in India.”
On September 5, the ICCC also held its first-event – a fireside chat with Anita Anand, the then President of the Treasury Board of Canada.
“She (Anita Anand) shared her views with our members about what the two countries can enhance business opportunities on the Canada-India corridor,” says Shah.
