JOIN US BC INDIA BUSINESS NETWORK – A MEMBER-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION
BCIBN is a new organization dedicated to building and maintaining economic & cultural ties between British Columbia and India through trade. With one of the largest, most successfully multicultural communities in the world, BC’s connection to India is long-established. BCIBN’s goal is to build on those vibrant connections and create lasting trade relationships.
India’s GDP is set to grow by more than 7% in 2016. This will put India ahead of China as the fastest growing economy in the world. As a member of the Commonwealth and the largest democracy on earth, India’s shared connections to British Columbia make for obvious trading partners.
BCIBN has assembled a team of Directors and Advisors with deep personal connections on both sides of the Pacific and over 100 years of combined experience promoting bi-lateral trade. Our membership will add to the relationships that the Province of B.C. has independently initiated over the past two decades. With that, our members will be able to take advantage of an expanded network of potential trade partners for the benefit of both Indians and British Columbians.
We are looking for great members like you who want to help us increase bi-lateral trade in sectors like small, medium & large-scaled business, tourism, investment, film production, agriculture, clean energy, education, infrastructure development and transport.
BCIBN Board of Directors
BOBBY PAWAR B.A., M.B.A
PRESIDENT
BOBBY PAWAR B.A., M.B.A
PRESIDENT
HEMA BHATT
VICE PRESIDENT
HEMA BHATT
VICE PRESIDENT
Hema Bhatt is the Vice-President and founder of Natu’Oil Services. In partnership with her husband, she set up a Malaysian office in 2004 and a manufacturing plant to cater to the demands of customers followed by Global Agritrade Corporation in 2006.
Natu’Oil Services specializes in international trade of palm oil based ingredients for the animal feed and food manufacturing industries. It is the largest importer of packaged palm oil and energy supplements and the first company to introduce sustainable refined palm oil into North America. Its mission is to be the premier supplier of oils and fats to all industries using highly streamlined logistics, customer service par excellence and products of the highest quality. Natu’Oil Services also distributes the Olera brand of certified sustainable palm shortenings and oils, as well as, Copia Coconut Oils, and is a member of Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil with a certified supply chain status.
DAWOOD SHAKIR
DIRECTOR
DAWOOD SHAKIR
DIRECTOR
Dawood Shakir is a vivid International business advisor with depth and breadth of experience in consultancy and delivering business projects in Canada, UK and India. Gained an impeccable track record from working for the Ministry of International Trade, BC government as Trade Commissioner for British Columbia and in UK Trade & Investment at the British Deputy High Commission in India. Along with my industry experience, I collectively offer nine years of experience. Successfully landed FDI projects of more than 100 Million dollars in Canada and UK and continue to help companies interested to enter the Indian and the Canadian market.
YUSUF VARACHIA
DIRECTOR
YUSUF VARACHIA
DIRECTOR
Yusuf Varachia has over 15 years of experience working in the Canadian educational sector. Prior to taking on his current position at SFU International, Yusuf was a teacher for the Toronto District School Board, worked in student recruitment, and managed international and Indigenous student recruitment at SFU. Currently he is the Director of International Strategic Initiatives at Simon Fraser University. In this position, he is responsible for promoting and enhancing SFU’s profile domestically and internationally through the strategic management of SFU’s international partnerships, international visitors, local diplomatic corps, and local international organizations.
GEORGE MATHEW
DIRECTOR
GEORGE MATHEW
DIRECTOR
A dynamic go-getter, George Mathew is a gifted leader from Richmond, British Columbia. A passionate communicator, George is enriched with the wealth of diverse experiences in Sales, Marketing and Finance. Having spent his adolescent years in Muscat, Oman, George brings about a unique perspective to business. George’s forte has been in the realm of Sales and Marketing and he has consulted multiple companies. He is also an owner of a Paleo Restaurant called Festal Cafe which is located at Coal Harbour in Downtown Vancouver which is the first 100% Paleo restaurant in British Columbia.
A keen sports enthusiast, George spends his free time playing soccer, basketball, table tennis and football. His also loves to play the guitar to harmonize the lives of the less fortunate and help the community. Whatever surplus he has, he uses it to feed the homeless and helps out at recovery addiction centres by singing and playing the guitar. His main goal in life is to make a difference in people’s lives by influencing media, governments and the marketplace. He eventually wants to open schools, orphanages, and hospitals through which he can share grace and love to the world.
VIVEK SAVKUR
FOUNDER & PAST PRESIDENT
VIVEK SAVKUR
FOUNDER & PAST PRESIDENT
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.
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BCIBN ADVISORY BOARD
HON. STOCKWELL DAY, PC
ADVISORY BOARD
HON. STOCKWELL DAY, PC
ADVISORY BOARD
The Hon. Stockwell Day, PC, is Canada’s former minister of international trade, minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and regional minister for BC. He was also the leader of Canada’s Official Opposition (2000-2001). Before that he served as treasurer (minister of finance) and acting premier of Alberta.
Mr. Day serves on a number of corporate boards and NGOs, including Telus, RCI Capital, Western One Equity, Baylin Technologies, AWZ Ventures, the International Federation of Christians and Jews, the Canada-India Business Council, the Canada-China Business Council (vice-chair), and the Council on Jewish and Israel Affairs. He also serves as a Distinguished Fellow for the Asia Pacific Foundation.
HON. HERB DHALIWAL, PC
ADVISORY BOARD
HON. HERB DHALIWAL, PC
ADVISORY BOARD
Herb Dhaliwal, PC, is a graduate in commerce of the University of British Columbia (1977). He was a senior Minister for Western Canada in the federal Cabinet of Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Between 1997 and 2004 he successively held the portfolios of National Revenue, Fisheries & Oceans and Natural Resources in Ottawa.
Prior to entering national politics, Herb was – and since retiring from public life continues to be – an entrepreneur, business owner, corporate director and advisor, with interests in transportation, building maintenance, housing construction and real estate development. Before sitting in the Parliament of Canada as M.P. for Vancouver- South/Burnaby constituency from 1993 to 2004, Mr. Dhaliwal had been appointed by the B.C. Government as Vice-Chair of the B.C. Hydro and Power Authority board of directors, where he chaired the budget and audit committees. In 2000 the VANCOUVER SUN called him one of the Top 100 most influential British Columbians in the last century.
HON. KERRY-LYNNE D. FINDLAY, PC, QC, BA, JD
ADVISORY BOARD
HON. KERRY-LYNNE D. FINDLAY, PC, QC, BA, JD
ADVISORY BOARD
Hon. KerryLynne Findlay served as Minister of National Revenue, member of Treasury Board and the Economic Prosperity Cabinet Committees 2013 – 2015; Associate Minister of National Defence, member of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and Foreign Affairs and Security Cabinet Committees 2013; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Chair of the Government’s Caucus Advisory, House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights member, Supreme Court of Canada Selection Committee member; 2011 2013. She was Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond East; 2011 -2015.
Ms. Findlay graduated from UBC with a B.A. and Juris Doctor, followed by Advanced Negotiation and Constitutional Law studies at Harvard Law School, and training in Mediation, Professional Coaching and Collaborative Law. She is a civil trial lawyer and certified mediator, who has appeared in all levels of Court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. She resigned a 5 year tenure as an Administrative Law Judge on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to serve in Canada’s Parliament. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1999, a year after serving as elected BC Branch President of the Canadian Bar Association. Additionally, within the CBA she was National Constitutional Law Chair, National Sections Council Vice-Chair, and Founding Chair of the Women Lawyers Forum (National and BC) dedicated to supporting women in the legal profession through mentoring, education and networking opportunities.
Ms. Findlay has been recognized for leadership and service through a 2016 nomination for the AGD International Distinguished Citizen Award, 2015 Golden Scissors Award from CFIB for red-tape reduction, 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubillee Medal for significant contributions to Canada, 2012 Crofton House School Lifetime Achievement Award for professional excellence and championing the role of women in society, 2011 Cecilia I. Johnstone national Award for mentoring women and advancing their professional participation, and 2001 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award [Management, Professions & Trades.
WALLY OPPAL, Q. C.
ADVISORY BOARD
WALLY OPPAL, Q. C.
ADVISORY BOARD
Wally is an experienced counsel and strategic advisor. His practice focuses on alternative and traditional dispute resolution as well as Aboriginal law.
After graduation from the University of British Columbia Law School, Wally went into private practice for a number of years. During this time he was appointed as a Special Prosecutor on many high profile criminal and commercial cases. Wally’s judicial career spans over two decades commencing with his appointment to the County Court in 1981, to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1985 and to the British Columbia Court of Appeal in 2003.
In 2005, he was appointed as Attorney General of British Columbia and served as Minister Responsible for Multiculturism until 2009. Wally was involved in many significant reforms of the justice system, including the establishment of Canada’s first community court to deal with chronic offenders, developing new Rules of Court in order to promote quicker resolution of disputes and developing new initiatives in dealing with violence against women.
A lifetime resident of British Columbia, Wally has dedicated his entire working life to the pursuit of social justice and community safety. His landmark report on policing in British Columbia led to many policing reforms after its publication in 1994. Wally’s service to the public of this province, most recently as Commissioner of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, is of special significance.
CONSUL-GENERAL ABHILASHA JOSHI
ADVISORY BOARD
CONSUL-GENERAL ABHILASHA JOSHI
ADVISORY BOARD
Mrs. Abhilasha Joshi joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1995 after obtaining degree in M.A. (Psychology) from the University of Delhi.
Her first assignment abroad was at the Embassy of India, Lisbon after which she returned to New Delhi to handle political work relating to Sri Lanka & SAARC and Consular work till 2008. She was posted to Sao Paulo as Consul(Commerce) from 2008 till 2012 and thereafter to New Delhi as Director/Deputy Director General (Indian Council for Cultural Relations).
Mrs. Abhilasha Joshi served as Consul General of India in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 2014 to 2017 from where she has been posted as Consul General of India to Vancouver.
She assumed the charge as the Consul General of India in Vancouver in August, 2017. She is married to Mr. Nitin Joshi and has one daughter and one son.
Mrs. Joshi speaks Hindi, English and Portuguese.
MR. GURMINDER SINGH PARIHAR
ADVISORY BOARD
MR. GURMINDER SINGH PARIHAR
ADVISORY BOARD
MR. GURMINDER SINGH PARIHAR
Gurminder S. Parihar has been a Partner with Parihar & Associates, CPA, CGA public practice firm in Surrey BC since 2004. Previously, he was a Senior Accountant with Delves Freer Anderson Regina Cain, CGA, Kanester Johal Chartered Accountants and CA firms in England.
He has a wealth of experience in general accounting, tax planning, and business consultation combined with a superlative track record in public engagement as well as significant experience in board and committee leadership. Mr. Parihar holds his Certified General Accountants and Chartered Professional Accountants designations. Currently Mr. Parihar is holding an appointment as board of directors of the College of Optometrists of British Columbia.
DR. LANE TROTTER
ADVISORY BOARD
DR. LANE TROTTER
ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Lane Trotter joined Langara College as President and CEO in January of 2014. His career in Canadian higher education spans more than 24 years, including previous roles as Senior Vice President, Academic at Fanshawe College, and Dean, at both BCIT and St. Clair College. He also spent many years serving in BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education. Dr. Trotter is the author of many papers and presentations on higher education and is active in a variety of national committees, and local, provincial, and national boards. He currently serves as Chair of the Council of Presidents of BC Colleges. He earned his Doctorate of Education from Simon Fraser University (2010) and holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria (1992).
DR. ARUN GARG
ADVISORY BOARD
DR. ARUN GARG
ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Arun Kumar Garg is a Clinical Professor of Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry from the University of Saskatchewan, Doctor of Medicine from the University of British Columbia, Fellowship in Medical Biochemistry from Royal College of Physicians and surgeons of Canada.
For last several years he is working on awareness amongst South Asian community of high prevalence of Chronic Diseases. Founded Canada India Network Society (www.thecins.org; www.twitter/thecins) in 2010 to build strong links between Canada and India in Life Sciences and Health Services. He is actively working with several partners and organizations in India and Canada to promote better health and health care. He is medical director of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Medical Lead for South Asian Health Institute in Fraser Health (www.fraserhealth.ca).
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Phone: 1-888-52-BCIBN (604-728-0971)
Email: info@bcibn.com
2150-550 Sherling Place, Port Coquitlam, BC Canada V3B 0J6