‘This experience is something that no classroom can teach you…’

‘This experience is something that no classroom can teach you…’

By Sparsh Sharma

A group of 19 MBA students from Université Laval – located in Québec City in Canada, a city recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site – were on a study tour to India. This is the fourth time in five years that a team from the university came to India. Given their success in the previous years, the university decided to come back again this year.

The students travelled to different cities in India mainly to meet companies and promote their products and services and perfect their knowledge of India. The Canadian students represented 19 different companies in varied sectors like education, foods, manufacturing, IT, entertainment, beverages, etc.

Geneviève Marcotte, coordinator of the tour and a participant, answers some questions about the group’s visit:

How would the knowledge be useful to the group and the companies they represent?
GM: This experience is something that no classroom can teach you; after doing in-depth research before coming here and then meeting with your contacts on the field makes us realise the fruit of our labour, which is most certainly rewarding.

I believe that all students should take part in a trade mission like ours, as the experience shows you how small the world really is, and how accessible international markets are. International trade is important to both Canada and India. All the resources offered, in Canada and on the field here in India, were extremely useful for my future career of working in international business development as they were for all students involved in the study tour.

What was the methodology behind the study tour?
GM: Université Laval acts as a non-profit organisation that offers Canadian companies the opportunity to develop their international market. Our team is young, dynamic and benefits from accumulated knowledge of our 16 years of existence. Over 400 companies such as Bombardier, Maison Simons, Philips Lumec, etc. have already used our services. Our agents not only receive training from field experts but also work year-long to perfect their knowledge about the country abroad, its culture, economy, politics and language(s). Before getting into a trade mission like this, they do a market study to be sure about the best way to penetrate that particular market. It is a good opportunity for companies that desire to penetrate new markets and obtain professional, personalised service at an exceptionally competitive price. The University of Laval Commercial Missions is here to facilitate a period of transition to these new markets. From market potential evaluation to importation and exportation logistics, possible entry modes, technical representation as well as searching for distributors and clients, development agents, or the MBA students this time, worked three weeks in India to reach all goals of Canadian enterprise. Companies wanting to participate in our trade missions pay an amount which covers only cost for mission such as hotel, per diem and transport.

Would the products be marketed focusing on the Indian market?
GM: I think the business opportunity in India is immense but foreign companies must be very careful while entering this market. Though marketing is an important process in selling most products, the cultural challenges and political barriers are numerous. Obtaining permits can take long, finding the right distributor can be difficult and finding the right logistic strategy to make it all work is the key. Marketing will come once you have everything else in place, and if you have done all other things correctly, the publicity and advertisement will find results by itself with minimal effort.

Did your group’s impression about India change?
GM: It’s my second time in India and every time I discover a wonderful country with people wanting to learn more about us and teach a lot about their culture. It’s amazing. We thought India is a misinterpreted country: the advances that have been made, the technology available is impressive and the stereotype of ‘poor India’ is misleading. Businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) all across the country, offer a wide range of high-quality products and services, and I think many people confuse lower production prices to lower quality. When you look at a giant like Tata, and all of the industries they are able to thrive in, it gives you a great example of the wide range of available knowledge, and its influence on the global scale.

Nader Daher: “India is a very sense-awakening place. Doing business here is a full human experience.”

Jonathan Bouvrette: “India brings a model of cooperation through open-mindedness”

Simon Lemay-Roux: “India is an incredible experience – business-wise as well as personally.”

Marie-Pier Michaud: “Canada and India are so different that every aspect of India becomes so impressive.”

B.C. to host business forum focused on investment with India

Source: Government of British Columbia via Indian Economic Business News

Business leaders from India and British Columbia will meet to discuss investment opportunities at the BC-India Global Business Forum on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. The opening and expansion of markets for British Columbia’s goods and services, particularly in Asia, and the attraction of investment to grow B.C.’s priority sectors is a key pillar of the BC Jobs Plan. India is identified in the BC Jobs Plan as a priority market. The B.C. government has been spearheading India market outreach efforts to seek new export and investment opportunities for B.C. businesses, and to create greater awareness of B.C.’s advantages as a trading partner. The BC-India Global Business Forum is a key part of B.C.’s longer-term economic and trade strategy with India. It will profile key sectors that are of mutual priority for both the B.C. and Indian markets. The forum will include sector-specific discussions and presentations, as well as networking sessions to facilitate business opportunities and business matching.

Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce led a 117 member delegation to India

Source: Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce via Indian Economic Business News

The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) led a multi-city, multi-sector trade mission to India from January 2-17. 2013. The 117 member delegation representing various sectors such as trade, banking, construction, food security, education, energy security and infrastructure visited Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Delhi. The delegates also participated in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and in Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar in Vibrant Gujarat. The Mayors of both Markham and Brampton also joined the mission and led large delegations from their cities.

Vibrant Gujarat Summit: Canadian PM lauds Gujarat’s entrepreneurial spirit

Source: Daily News and Analysis via Indian Economic Business News

Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, has lauded the entrepreneurial spirit of Gujarat and said that the state is playing an important role in strengthening Canada-India relations. In a letter to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Canadian PM said that Gujarat, one of India’s most dynamic and industrious states, is world-renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit. “The state is an important partner for Canada thanks to its strategic location, strong economic credentials, and multilingual skilled workforce,” Harper said in the letter. Canada is one of the partners of Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013,. Describing Vibrant Gujarat Summit as an international platform which provides a wonderful opportunity to foster new commercial relationships and enhance people-to-people ties, Harper said that Canada recently opened a trade office in Ahmedabad to facilitate new business and trade opportunities for Canada and the Gujarati community.“I would like to thank the Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat government for their contributions to strengthening Canada-India relations,” the Canadian Prime Minister added.

Canada showcases trade and investment opportunities at India’s Vibrant Gujarat

Source: High Commission of Canada, New Delhi via Indian Economic Business News

As a partner country, Canada had significant presence at the 2013 Vibrant Gujarat Global Business Summit (VG2013), from January 11 to 13, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. With precursor events starting on January 8, VG2013 brought together business leaders, investors, corporations, industry experts, policy and opinion makers and over 500 exhibitors with over 40,000 visitors attending from India and more than 100 countries. Highlights of Canada’s presence at VG2013 included: Canada Country seminar on January 11; Canada-Gujarat Trade and Investment Opportunities seminar on January 12; Canada Business Partnering Forum (match-making event); Canada Pavilion with provincial representations at the Trade Show and an Education Pavilion at the Trade Show Delegates also participated in the International Conference for Academic Institutions on January 9 and 10, the Innovation Convention on January 9 and the Technology Convention on January 10.

Seventh round of India-Canada FTA talks likely in February

Source: Deccan Herald via Indian Economic Business News

“Canada wants an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India. The seventh round of (FTA) negotiations is happening in February in New Delhi,” Canadian High Commissioner in India Stewart Beck said. He was speaking on the sidelines of a function jointly organised by industry chamber CII and Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. “I think there is will at both the sides to conclude the proposed pact partly because we think it is an important thing to do and also the Prime Ministers (of India and Canada) have committed to do it by end of 2013,” Beck said. At present, the two-way trade is over USD 5 billion. Beck said: “We want one (pact) that is going to give the maximum movement of people from Indian perspective. We want the one which gives the best rates possible for Canadian goods coming into this market.” The FTA is aimed at slashing or eliminating duties on maximum number of products traded between the two countries, besides opening the services sector and facilitating investment proposals. As per a joint study group report, both countries will benefit from the CEPA. According to the report, India and Canada’s GDP are likely to get benefits in the range of USD 6 billion and USD 15 billion per year, respectively from the trade pact.

CIEC accepting CARE applications

CIEC accepting CARE applications

CARE agents enjoy many benefits.  CIEC invites you to visit our website for a detailed overview of the CARE process and benefits.

Benefits include:

  • Use of the CARE logo, CARE certificate, and goodwill of the CIEC brand
  • Use of Toronto ‘Rep’ Office
  • Access to training provided by Department of Foreign Affiars (DFAIT) & attend CIEC webinars
  • Online exposure on our website & social media outlets and regular mentions in our email campaigns and ‘Disha’ newsletter, distributed to over 19 000 key education stakeholders in both countries
  • Reduced registration fee to our annual Synergy networking event and one-night FREE stay in Toronto
  • Student airport pickup (coming soon)
  • Grow your network while becoming part of an established network & gain recognition amongst Canadian Colleges & Universities
  • Membership fees range from $1500 to $2500 for a 3 year period and the approval process takes between 4 to 6 months.  If you have any questions or comments, please direct them to [email protected].

We look forward to working with you in growing your brand while promoting ethical student recruitment in the burgeoning Canada-India education corridor.

Download the Application Form

Hyderabad Metro, GIFT City in `Strategic 100’ infra projects

Source: Hindu Business Line via Indian Economic Business News

Hyderabad Metro Rail project has been selected as one of the top 100 strategic global infrastructure projects to be showcased at the forthcoming Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum being held in New York during February-March, 2013. Apart from the Rs 14,132 crore ($2.6 billion) Hyderabad Metro Rail project, two other Indian projects have also figured in this prestigious list: GIFT city (Gujarat International Financial Tech city) costing Rs 72,600 crore ($13.2 billion) and Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project costing Rs 60,000 crore ($10.89 billion). “Strategic 100” is a list of the top 100 infrastructure projects selected through a rigorous selection process on the basis of their potential to make significant difference to their cities/region/country in terms of overall performance and competitiveness. The list has been prepared by an American agency after undertaking research of a large number of major infra projects in 66 countries.

Canadian provinces for more trade in Punjab

Source: Indian Express via Indian Economic Business News

The Consulate General (CG) of Canada in Chandigarh has received requests from the provinces of Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan seeking increased trade ties between them and the state of Punjab in the fields of food processing and agro-industry. CG officials said that the provinces in the country have expertise in handling food grain storage and processing and are proposing technology sharing agreements with the government of Punjab. Officials handling the trade and investment work at the CG office here said that Canada is looking at setting up a food park jointly with the state of Punjab. They added that closer ties between Canada and Punjab will help the state to pursue a crop diversification program and look beyond paddy-wheat growing cycle. Consul General, Scot Slessor, said that the consulate in Chandigarh is looking at increased trade ties as part of the plan of the two countries to move up from the current 5-6 billion (Canadian dollar) trade between India and Canada.

New trade and investment office to boost Indo-Canadian ties

Source: Economic Times via Indian Economic Business News

British Columbia Finance Minister Michael de Jong, who was on a visit to Punjab recently said the opening of a new trade and investment office in Chandigarh will strengthen economic ties between India and Canada.”Trade and Investment office (at Chandigarh) will boost the business prospects (between India and Canada),” Jong said. A new trade and investment office was opened at the Canadian Consul-General in Chandigarh on December 7th. Jong said there is a huge potential for mutual trade in sectors of energy, coal, technology, education, wood products, digital media ability, etc. “Trade must go both ways and both the countries have to go a long way in this regard,” he said. On immigration, Jong said there are some “difficulties” in the matter of immigration even though India is the second largest source of immigration to Canada. “Our biggest challenge in coming years is people. We need people in our economy but we need to have a fair system that encourages movement of people in both the countries,” he said.

Canadian province eyes 10-fold jump in trade

Source: Economic Times via Indian Economic Business News

Michael De Jong, the Finance Minister of the Canadian province of British Columbia, says he is eyeing a 10-fold jump in trade with India over the next few years. De Jong is betting on companies from India exploring opportunities in sectors such as coal and natural gas while businesses from the Canadian province seeking opportunities in areas such as life sciences, aerospace and agri-food processing. “We did $300 million of trade last year, (but) I see a potential for $3 billion. India has more to offer Canada than shrimp, which I believe registers as one of the top exports. We can do way better. For us, we are blessed with abundant natural resources and we understand that in India there is an insatiable appetite for coal, natural gas and fertilizers. These are areas where both sides can work together,” he said.

Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation led delegation to India

Source: Indian Economic Business News

The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation led a telecom mission to India in December 2012. The purpose of the mission was to advance business alliance between Ontario and Indian companies in the telecommunication sector. The 16 member delegation visited Mumbai and New Delhi. Some of the companies exhibited at the India Telecom trade show in New Delhi from December 13-15.

Mrs. Neelkamal Darbari, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals led a 3-member delegation to Toronto

Source: Indian Economic Business News

Mrs. Neelkamal Darbari, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, accompanied by Mr. S. Ilangovan, Chief Manager (Technical), Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET), and Mr. Manoj Mehta, Deputy Director, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), visited Toronto during December 9-15, 2012. The main purpose of the visit was to review the research work undertaken by the CoE- GREET (Centre of Excellence -Green Transportation Network) PhD scholars at University of Toronto. CIPET and University of Toronto, both, are in the process of implementing the joint research and innovation agenda under the CoE-GREET programme. CIPET has signed an MOU with U of T for transferring knowledge-based skills in the areas of Bioplastics and Biodegradable composites.

The delegation had meetings with Ms. Wendy Tilford, Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, Deans of Faculty of Engineering and Chemistry, Prof Mohini Sain, Dean and Professor, Faculty of Forestry, and Director, Centre for Biocomposites & Biomaterials Processing, University of Toronto, President of Canadian Plastic Industry Association, President of Ontario BioAuto Council and had interaction with PhD scholars from CIPET. Visits to Windsor Ford Power Train Research Centre, Magna NRC (National Research Council) facility, Woodbridge Foam factory and Greencore Composites facility were also undertaken. The delegation availed this opportunity to discuss the potential partnerships in areas of new technologies and potential areas of cooperation and investment opportunities in chemical sector in India. The 2nd International Exhibition on Plastics and Petrochemicals – Poly India 2013 – was also promoted in various interactions and invitation was extended to stakeholders for participation in this exhibition.

Canada at 2012 Agro Tech in India

Source: Connect – Canada in India

Three Canadian provinces, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, formed the Canada pavilion at India’s 10th agro technology fair, Agro Tech 2012, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Chandigarh from December 1 to 4. Canadian companies in areas including swine genetics, forage products, flax oil, animal feed mixers, canola oil, agri-consulting companies, grain storage and handling systems, and food development centres showcased their expertise.

British Columbia opens two new offices in India

Source: Connect – Canada in India

During a visit to India from December 2 to 10, Michael de Jong Q.C., Minister of Finance for the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC), opened two new British Columbia Trade and Investment offices, co-located within the Consulate-General of Canada offices in Chandigarh and Mumbai. The office openings took place on:
Consulate General of Canada in Chandigarh – December 7
Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai – December 10

The new official British Columbia Trade and Investment offices will promote and develop export opportunities to India for BC businesses, attracting investment from India, develop mutually beneficial investment projects and foster partnerships between BC and Indian institutions and companies for joint research and development.

For more information, please email:
Chandigarh – [email protected]
Mumbai – [email protected]  .

Canada to Launch New CARE for Indians

Charu Sudan Kasturi, Hindustan Times New Delhi, February 16, 2011

Thousands of Indian students applying to Canadian universities may no longer run the risk of a Tri-Valley University (TVU) repeat under a unique plan aimed at students concerned after recent instances of fraud abroad. The Canada India Education Council (CIEC), which coordinates educational ties between the two countries, plans to launch CARE, an agent certification process, this July ahead of the Fall 2011 academic session. Around 12,000 Indian students are currently studying in Canada.

Senior Canadian government officials have told HT that the Federal government is backing the initiative that it hopes will help Canada emerge an alternate destination for Indian students seeking to study abroad.

“Students in India are worried about studying abroad after the TVU scam and the recent instances of fraud and race attacks in Australia. We believe that if we pitch Canada appropriately, we can show Indian students that our country is a very attractive alternative,” a senior Canadian official said.

The CARE process will allow Indian students keen on studying in Canada to ensure that education agents are certified, CIEC Executive Director Husain F Neemuchwala said.

The CIEC-modeled on the lines of the United States India Education Foundation (USIEF)- is particularly critical for Indo-Canadian ties because Canada does not have a federal education department. Education is managed by each Province. The CIEC is an NGO, but is supported by the Canadian Government.

But Canada is keenly pushing its education as a major source of revenue- to be earned from foreign students. India at present falls behind China, the US, Mexico and a handful of other countries in the number of students it sends to Canada.

Agent certification launched in India: CIEC

Source: thepienews.com

The Canada India Education Council (CIEC) has launched a certification programme that recognises quality and ethical practice among education agents involved in Canada-India exchange.

Indian Canadian Advisors Representing Excellence (CARE) is the only bespoke certification system of its kind and aims to establish rules on agent practice; increase accountability; and make it easier for Indian agents to find Canadian universities and colleges appropriate for their students through its membership database.

CEO of CIEC, Husain F. Neemuchwala, said: ”The time couldn’t be better with the tremendous activity back and forth in the Canada-India corridor over the past two or three years. While we have done a lot of good work promoting the corridor, much work still needs to be done to make sure we reach full potential.”

The certification process, aimed to certify agencies working with Canadian institutions, places high emphasis on transparency, requires agents to be upfront about hidden fees and consistent in how they represent themselves to students.

Agents are reported to have reacted positively to the system since launch, with 60 already hoping for certification once pilot tests are finished. However, Neemuchwala emphasises that CIEC is not aiming for rapid growth.

“Quality over quantity is the premise on which CARE was created. If not colleges and universities can Google [search] and look up agents themselves. The whole idea is to create a smaller number of validated and certified agents that we can stand behind,” he said.

CARE also promises institutions a streamlined recruitment process, greater exposure to the best of the Indian agency market, and information on student trends. Neemuchwala said, “As CARE gets more momentum, things will improve not just for specific colleges and university members but the industry in general. There are people who don’t like to use agents but this might change their minds.

“And for people who generally use agents but aren’t happy with their services, this might open doors to other options for them.”

The certification process takes between four to six months to complete and certification lasts two years. In that time agents can use the CARE promotional materials, will be listed on the CIEC website, and will gain greater access to CIEC member universities and colleges among other benefits.

Founded in 2010, CIEC is an event-driven, membership organisation. CARE is open to CIEC agent members at no cost and for a fee to non-members. The extent of non-member access to the comprehensive agent listings is yet to be determined.

COU announces new family medicine training opportunities

Toronto, February 2011

The federal government would be funding $11.3 million over four years to support a project in Ontario that offers new family medicine positions and training opportunities across Canada from 2011. The funding would cover the entire costs for establishing residency positions. The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) is striving to improve access to healthcare for Ontarians in remote and rural communities. Approximately 60 additional third-year family medicine residency positions will be created at Ontario’s six Faculties of Medicine to enhance emergency medicine and enhanced skills, which includes McMaster University, University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, as well as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine at Laurentian University and Lakehead University.

According to Dr. Catharine Whiteside, co-chair person of COU Faculties of Medicine and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, “focusing on specializations such as anesthesia, obstetrics, care of the elderly, palliative care, rural skills, mental health and additions, will be a starting point to support comprehensive family practice in under-served communities.” Hence, with the continuing support from provincial government to improve health care facilities across Ontario, people living in rural communities will be having greater benefits.

IELTS tops the list

PRNewswire, Cairo, March 2011

The International English Language Testing System, commonly known as IELTS, made its way to the top in the list of World’s most popular high stakes English Language tests. A record breaking 1.5 million tests were taken around the world in 2010 with the increase in the number of tests taken year-after-year since 1995. North America experienced the largest growth over the year followed by Philippines and Hong Kong. China, Australia and India continue to retain their positions as the largest markets for IELTS.

IELTS provides a reliable measure of a candidate’s ability across the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking. Candidates mainly take IELTS in pursuit of entry into an academic institution or immigration processes, mainly to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge (Examinations ESOL).

Canada and India build closer educational ties

UniversityWorldNews, Issue 128, 2010

India is focusing on giving their students a global experience, and a new bill being passed by the Indian Parliament would bring vast progress and easier access for international universities.

Mr. Pawan Agarwal, author of Indian Higher Education: Envisioning the future and a West Bengal Government member of staff addressed a conference in Ottawa held by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada to promote India-Canada ties in higher education. He stated that with the right foundation, appropriate student recruitment, joint research project ventures and Government support, closer ties can be achieved.

The main reason towards this collaboration is to lessen the unfamiliarity of Canadian Universities and their reputation in India. Raising awareness is critical in overseas development work. Mr Agarwal mentioned that there were about 28,000 Indian students studying in Australia in comparison to a meager 2800 in Canada. Development of offshore campuses, collaborating with Indian institutes and extensive marketing are the ways to go for establishing strong presence in India. In the lines of Virginia tech and Georgia University, US opening off shore campuses in

Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Schulich School of business, York University, Canada has already taken a step forward to offer collaborative programs with SP Jain School of Management, Mumbai, India.

According to Mr Shashishekhar Gavai, Indian High Commissioner to Canada, research collaboration was another option of consideration. He mentioned that McGill and Carleton universities are interested in setting up Canada-India centres to address the Indian immigrants in Canada.

On India’s part, India has 26,200 educational institutions with over 15 million students which is expected to grow twice as much in the next few years due to the increased growth of middle and upper classes. Mr Agarwal would like to increase the number of mature students enrolling for post graduate programs, something that Canada has been successful at. He is expecting Canada to diversify growth in areas in addition to Management and Engineering.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper hosted a roundtable discussion with 15 presidents from Indian universities. With premiers of Canadian provinces Ontario and Quebec visiting India and expressing interest in pursuing closer ties with the Indian higher education system, 15 Canadian university presidents met in India in November to make progress. India has become a global giant that without considering Indian market there is no real global experience. These programs will also provide tremendous opportunities for Indian students looking to acquire world-class management training and prepare them for global careers in India and around the world.

This Indo-Canadian collaboration will provide students a diverse international perspective and an opportunity to synthesize Western efficiency and Eastern ethos.