Enabling Canada’s SME’s to Succeed in India – A National Series

Ottawa, Canada (PRWEB) September 18, 2013

On Friday September 20, 2013 the Canada India Business Council (C-IBC) is hosting a roundtable focused on assisting Canadian Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with their entry and expansion into the Indian marketplace.

This roundtable represents the first in a cross-country series of SME roundtables that will be held throughout 2013 and 2014 and which represent a deliberate and increased focus by the Council on the needs of the SME sector.

The roundtable discussion will focus on:

•     Successfully navigating the India market from an SME perspective;
•     Lessons from current SME success stories and
•     The implications of the Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for SMEs.

The speakers include Peter Sutherland, President & CEO of C-IBC, Martin Hough, Director, Tefler School of Management and Don Stephenson, Chief Negotiator, DFAIT.

According to Statistics Canada, as of July 2012, over 64 percent of private sector employees were employed by an SME.

“SMEs are the foundation of the Canadian economy. And although most Canadian SMEs understand why India and other emerging markets are essential to their long term success and prosperity, a recent Angus Reid survey showed that currently only 21% of SMEs are looking to increase their overseas market activities. It’s a sobering statistic when you also consider that at the moment just 12% of Canadian SMEs’ exports are going to these markets," says Peter Sutherland, President & CEO of C-IBC.

“For SMEs expanding into the emerging markets can seem overwhelming and until recently, their specific needs and concerns have largely been lost in the larger dialogue on Canada – India trade.”

“The Canada India Business Council has over thirty years of experience advising industry and companies of all sizes on how to best manage their market entry and expansion in India. We are now turning our focus to sharing that experience with SMEs and tailoring it to their specific needs.”

Event Details:

The Canada India Business Council Focus On SMEs Roundtable
Date: Friday September 20, 2013
Time: 2:00-6:00 pm
Location: Marshes Golf Course, 320 Terry Fox Drive
To Attend: Please contact Belle L. Serio at bserio(at)canada-indiabusiness(dot)ca

For Interviews & Additional Information
For additional information on the C-IBC SME Roundtable Series or to arrange an interview with Peter Sutherland, President & CEO of the Canada India Business Council please contact:

Belle L. Serio
T. 416-214-5947 x-21
F. 416-214-9081
E. bserio(at)canada-indiabusiness(dot)ca

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