In partnership with
APF Canada, in partnership with the Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC) and with strong support from the public and private sectors, led the First Canadian Women-only Virtual Business Mission to India, on March 7 & 8, 2022.
This mission, themed ‘Growing Smarter’, focused on education, green solutions, agri-tech, and health tech to spotlight the innovations Canadian women entrepreneurs bring to these sectors. The fifth mission in APF Canada’s Women’s Business Missions to Asia series, this unique event brought together Canadian women entrepreneurs with businesses in India to promote gender inclusive trade, support SMEs, and catalyze international partnerships between Canadian companies and foreign markets.
The First Canadian Women-only Virtual Business Mission to India was supported by contributions from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Mission Brochures:
Mission Details:
WHERE: India, virtually
WHAT: The mission featured a public conference with high-level speakers from Canada and India to discuss issues of bilateral trade, gender empowerment, and SME supports. The delegates participated in personalized business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking, exhibitor space, and networking opportunities with conference attendees.
WHEN: March 7-8, 2022
WHO: We encourage all women and non-binary entrepreneurs to apply for the missions. We especially welcome applicants from traditionally under-represented groups, such as (but not limited to) members of racialized and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ folks, newcomers to Canada, and young entrepreneurs.
WHY: India is a growing economic powerhouse with solid fundamentals, that position the country for unparalleled opportunities over the next two decades. The global pandemic has taken a tragic toll on India, but with public health indicators moving in the right direction, the Indian economy is poised for significant rebound to become the fastest-growing G20 economy in 2021. Home to nearly one sixth of the world’s population and with one of the largest GDPs in Asia, India’s market potential is vast. In the next five years, one-fifth of the world’s working age population will be Indian and by the end of this decade, India will boast more than one billion internet users. Over the next 15 years, India’s five largest cities will have economies comparable in size to middle income countries today.
Projected to expand by 8.1 per cent in the coming year, India’s increasingly dynamic and innovative economy offers myriad opportunities for smart firms. Building on India’s advantages in internet and communications technologies, pharmaceutical production, and business services, APF Canada’s Women-only Business Mission to India seeks to facilitate connections and grow cooperation opportunities for Canadian women-led firms in technology sectors in partnership with the C-IBC.
India and Canada share strong and longstanding economic and cultural ties, with Canada being home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world – nearly 1.5 million people. Buttressed by the efforts of governments in both countries, the value of bilateral trade now stands at nearly C$8 billion, making India Canada’s 10th largest trading partner. With many connections and complementary official languages, there are many more opportunities for Canadian entrepreneurs in India.
As India and the rest of the world emerge from the global public health crisis, Canadian entrepreneurs can leverage APF Canada’s Women-only Business Mission to India not only to position their products and services in one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets, but also to showcase gains from international trade as uniquely benefitting women’s economic advancement.
OBJECTIVES:
- To mutually showcase Canada's and India's technology innovations in education, sustainable solutions, agri-tech, bioscience, biotechnology, and digital health— economic activities that can help both countries "grow smarter"
- To provide networking opportunities for Canadian women in business with counterparts in India
- To provide an opportunity to share insights and best practices on women’s economic advancement
- To facilitate business partnerships between delegates and Indian counterparts
BENEFITS: Individualized B2B matching, networking, and promotional opportunities.
For mission inquiries, please contact:
A.W. Lee, PhD
Senior Program Manager
Diversity and Inclusive Growth Strategy for
Women Entrepreneurs in the Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Toronto
205-375 University Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2J5
a.w.lee@asiapacific.ca
This mission was supported by contributions from the Government of Canada.
Presenting Industry Sponsor:
