BC-IBN is a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to building and maintaining economic, social and cultural ties between British Columbia and India through trade.
Vivek Savkur is the Managing Director of Anand Commercial Services Pvt Ltd. Mumbai and Owner of Savkur International Agencies in Vancouver.He has been actively connected with Indo-Canadian Bilateral Trade since the last 30 years. Before immigrating to Canada form Mumbai, India he held several positions in the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber (ICBC), Mumbai and was on it’s National Board for several years and it’s National President for three consecutive years. He is well connected in India and in BC and is conversant with all sectors of trade in the BC-India Business Corridor.
Sobhana graduated from Calicut University with a Bachelors's degree in Philosophy and from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) with a Master's degree in Social Work. After a two-year stint in India as head of HR, Sobhana joined Simon Fraser University (SFU) as Associate Vice President, External Relations in 2017. Sobhana is the President of BC-India Business Network (BC-IBN), Chief Impact Officer for HashHackCode (India) and sits on several Advisory Committees and Boards. In 2019, Sobhana was recognized by the global Women Economic Forum (WEF) with a Woman of the Decade award.
Avi Arya, founder of Internet Moguls, a coaching company for Entrepreneurs and their teams with social media ads and high converting webinars. Also, Father of 2 Girls, 6 Dogs, and Husband to a Super Woman.
Kanika Sasan is a business owner, an actor and an advocate for fostering India- Canada relations. Through her business she has educated and brought awareness about Indian craftsmanship and designing. She has represented and significantly promoted Indian fashion labels for the last 10 years and continues to build and strengthen the ties between the two countries through fashion, arts and entertainment. Kanika volunteers at many cultural and community events as a public speaker and emcee.
Sasha Ramnarine is a Business Lawyer with Remedios and Company helping local and international entrepreneurs and small businesses establish successful businesses in British Columbia and Canada. His areas of practice include,Business Law, Real Estate Law, and Estate Planning. Sasha has worked since the age of nine and managed his family’s Trinidadian restaurant for a number of years in Kitsilano. A tireless lawyer and entrepreneur, Sasha is dedicated to providing his clients with high value and creative legal solutions for their business and personal life.
Sasha has taught Business and Employment law courses at Simon Fraser University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
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Jatinder (JD) Dhir has over two decades of experience in hospitality, retail sales, education, and operations. He has held leadership roles such as General Manager/Sales coach for international retail stores and Director of operations Western Canada. Committed to making a positive impact, he is involved with not-for-profit organizations, providing tools to empower professional immigrants and building leaders for tomorrow. He also serves as Director Global Development and Partnership for Fearlessness Consulting Inc. and as Director Recruitment & Business Development with P49 real estate brokerage. Additionally, he mentors/coaches professionals with PICS Society and IECBC.
Anna Mathew is a forward-thinking entrepreneur specializing in design, marketing, and user experience. She combines creativity and technology to turn ideas into thriving brands and user-centered solutions. With expertise in product design and interactive arts, Anna helps businesses grow and engage audiences while staying ahead of trends. She also translates programming languages like Python and integrates IT systems to optimize business strategies. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, Anna crafts tailored solutions that align with business goals and create lasting impact
Dawood has more than a decade long experience in the field of Business Administration, International Marketing in Education and Entrepreneurship. Along with this, he dons proud badges of many success stories of setting trade operations between the United Kingdom, Canada, and India. He has gained an impeccable track record from working for the Ministry of International Trade, BC government and in UK Trade & Investment at the British Deputy High Commission in India. This has fueled his passion of continuing this journey in helping businesses and entrepreneurs to successfully set up their operations and immigrate to Canada.
Remya is an entrepreneur and experienced IT professional with international experience. She has co-founded an IT business in Kerala, India, that aims to help international companies hire skilled remote resources from India. She has been involved in the successful development of a food manufacturing business for vegan baked products in BC. She has co-founded a non-profit organization in BC, Canada, aimed at empowering youth to advance in their education and careers by engaging with mentors and industry experts. Remya is passionate about volunteering and actively involved in supporting students and new immigrants settling down in their initial days.
A global industry leader with 30+ years of expertise in agriculture, retail, supply chain, food manufacturing, and hospitality. Proven track record in driving growth, building strategic partnerships, and leading businesses to success. Formerly in key roles at Future Group, Loblaw, Krupp India, and others, now advising startups and global corporations as a board member.
Mr.Masakui Rungsung is a career Diplomat who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 2001 after obtaining a Masters in English Language from Delhi University. Before joining the Indian Foreign Service, he served in Reserve Bank of India from 1999 to 2001.After joining the Indian Foreign Service Mr. Rungsung served as Third Secretary/Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, from May 2003 to June 2006, followed by a stint as Under Secretary (UN Division) from June 2006 to Aug.2009 at the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. Later, he moved to Consulate General of India in Johannesburg and served as Consul from Aug 2009 to Sept 2011.This was followed by a tenure as First Secretary/Counsellor in Dhaka,Bangladesh from Oct. 2011 to October 2014. He served as Director in the External Publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi from October 2014 to April 2016. Before his transfer to Vancouver, he served as Ambassador of India to Zimbabwe from May 2016 until 5thNov. 2020 and High Commissioner of India to Jamaica from November 2020 to 4th June 2024.Mr. Manish is a career diplomat. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1997. In his over twenty two years of diplomatic career so far he has served in Indian Missions in Moscow, Tashkent, Prague, Colombo and Jakarta. In between his overseas assignments, he served in New Delhi at the Ministry of External Affairs first as Under Secretary in the US & Canada Division and Foreign Service Institute; and then as Deputy Secretary in the United Nations Political Division from August 2004 to July 2007. Prior to being appointed as India's Consul General in Vancouver, he served as Joint Secretary in the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service from November 2017 to April 2018 and then as Joint Secretary managing India’s bilateral relations with ASEAN countries, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island Countries from April 2018 to November 2019. As Joint Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs) from November 2019 to August 2020, he implemented policies for engagement with Indian diaspora.
Rupa Naik has vast experience in the field of International trade and research. She has worked with a large number of overseas and Indian Trade Promotion Organisations spanning a career of over three decades. As an Executive Director of World Trade Center Mumbai, Rupa Naik has been actively promoting India’s International trade investments and business development. She is primarily responsible for the establishment of the World Trade Centers in Bhubaneswar, Goa and Jaipur with a view to promote international trade of these regions. She is responsible for the trade infrastructure and trade facilities of the World Trade Center Mumbai. She also takes keen interest in programmes to promote women empowerment, agriculture, wellness and other topical issues. Rupa Naik works closely with key Government officials and international multilateral agencies to promote India’s bilateral trade.
Kashmira Mewawala is the Head Business Development and Chief Ethics Counsellor, at TATA CAPITAL and has rich experience of 37 years in the Financial Services industry, as a part of the Tata Group. Kashmira commenced her career in 1985 at Tata Share Registry Limited and was involved with many pathbreaking changes in the financial securities market. Kashmira holds/held many roles with Confederation of Indian Industry including: Chairman CII Maharashtra State Council; Chairman CII Committee on International Trade and Investment; Chairperson CII Indian Women Network and Maharashtra. Kashmira was awarded the “Mumbai’s Woman Leader” title in 2022 by the World Women Leadership Congress.
Experienced Counsel with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry. Skilled in various type of Litigation, International Law, Media and Entertainment law, Medico Legal, Social and Public Interest causes, Service laws etc. Has qualified from the University of Mumbai - Bachelor of commerce (H. R. College of Commerce & Economics); Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) (Government Law College) & P.G. Diploma in Labour Laws and Labour Welfare (Dr. Ambedkar College of Law). Founder of the internationallegalalliance.com (virtual global network of lawyers). Member of the Bombay Bar Association, the Intellectual Property Rights Practitioners Association, Maximum Lawyer group and Associate member of the Canadian Bar Association (British Columbia branch). Advisory Board member of the South Asian Fashion Week (Vancouver); Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival. Life member of the following institutions – World Zoroastrian Chamber Commence, International Centre Goa, the Ripon Club, St. Mary’s (ISC) High School Alumni Association. Member of the Indo Canadian Business Chamber, and the Lions Club of Byculla. District Chairman – Legal Issues – Lions Club International District. 3231A1 (2021-22). Hon. Board member – Asian Chamber Of Hospitality Industry; United Forum for Legal Studies. Advisory Board member of ADAPT (Formerly Spastics Society of India). Member of College Development Committee of Pravin Gandhi Law College, Mumbai. Melvin Jones Fellow – Lions Club International and Paul Harris Fellow – Rotary International. Hon. Managing Committee member – Bombay Parsee Association. Hon. Legal Advisor – OCA Foundation.
A serial entrepreneur, Gopal is currently the CEO of MSM. Prior to this, Raghwa was the President & CEO of InnovateBC - a crown agency of the Province of British Columbia that is mandated to fund and deliver programs to support the growth of innovation economy in the province. The tech industry stalwart has been a driving force in the development of the Okanagan's tech sector into a $2 billion economic contributor. Gopal serves on the boards of multiple organizations including the University of British Columbia, India Canada Innovation Council, Women's Enterprise Centre, Central Okanagan Economic Development, and B.C.'s Emerging Economy Task Force and Food Security Task Force. In 2024, Raghwa was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (honoris causa) by the University of British Columbia.
Kathy is a seasoned financial executive and former chief operating officer of Coast Capital Savings, Canada’s largest Credit Union by membership. She was a key member of the executive team that led its transformation to one of the strongest performing Canadian credit unions. She was recently appointed to the ICICI Bank Canada board of directors, and has served on several corporate and community boards. Kathy has extensive experience managing large, complex businesses in Canada and internationally. Before joining Coast Capital, she was senior vice-president Premier Banking for HSBC where she led its global strategy and positioned Canada as one of its top global regions. Kathy has a passion for volunteering and advocating for groups related to diversity, poverty, women, children, and seniors. Kathy has been recognized for her leadership and community service. She was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in both 2016 and 2017. Kathy is a graduate of the Queen’s University Executive Program and Institute of Corporate Directors, and a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers.
Viney has recently retired as a Trade Commissioner from the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi India. Viney brings with him a wealth of experience in diversified industry sectors right from aerospace/defence to advanced manufacturing to Life Sciences to Clean Technologies. In a career spanning over 34 years with the Government of Canada and New Delhi, Viney has extensive experience in diverse sectors. He has been in the forefront of advising the Canadian corporate sector including SMEs for business development strategy, market prospects,potential partners/distributors,troubleshooting etc. Viney has promoted Brand Canada by organizing Canadian participation in numerous trade shows and workshops. He has been involved with many ministerial delegations (including delegations led by Prime Ministers and Premiers).
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