Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce hails India-specific measures in the Federal Budget

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-TORONTO, March 24: Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), the largest organization of Indian Diaspora in Canada, has hailed the provisions in the federal budget that focus on enhancing Canada-India bilateral ties. The federal budget announced by the federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty includes an India Engagement Strategy and $12 million in funding for a Canada-India Research Centre for Excellence, to be chosen following a competition. In addition, the budget also provides $10 million for promoting Canadian colleges and universities abroad, much of which will be spent in India to increase Indian students in Canadian educational institutions.

“Canada-India ties are on the ascendency and these budgetary provisions are an acknowledgement of Canada’s commitment to have strong relations with India,”

“The conclusion of the negotiations on free trade between the two countries will pave the way for better all-round relations between Canada and India,” observed Pankaj Mehra, ICCC’s Director of Trade & Small & Medium Enterprise (SME). “The special focus on the education and research sector is a welcome development, and the need of the hour,” said Satish Thakkar, Vice President and Director of ICCC.

“Indian students have been bypassing Canadian colleges and going to the United States, Britain and Australia. These provisions will help attract Indian students and researchers to centres of academic excellences in Canada,” he added. The statement concluded that Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce is confident that in the Year of India in Canada the relations between the two democracies will acquire more depth.

Vinay Nagpal, President of the Chamber said in a statement issued in Toronto. He added that the Chamber is particularly happy with Canada’s multi-layered approach to developing relations with India as is evident in the budgetary measures that emphasize engagement with several strata of the Indian society such as academic institutions, public servants, businesspeople and researchers.