Markham India Business Mission Update Six

Delegation in Kolkata February 6 and 7

Markham India Business Mission Update Six

MARKHAM – February 16, 2016 – The Kolkata portion of Markham’s business mission to India, led by Mayor Frank Scarpitti, began with a warm greeting upon arrival at the airport led by Regional Councillor Joe Li and a cheering group of Markham residents visiting Kolkata. Later the same day, Markham delegates were special guests at a reception to celebrate Chinese New Year hosted by Mr. Ma Zhanwu, Chinese Consul General to Kolkata.

On Sunday, February 7, the Markham delegation participated in a site visit to “New Town Eco Park”, an impressive, new large-scale urban park which includes ecological zones like wetlands, grasslands, and an urban forest; theme gardens and open spaces; and urban recreational spaces. The park is part of a New Town mixed use master plan that includes residential and tourism sites, and plans for a new financial services industry hub.

Mayor Sabyasachi Dutta of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation hosted a business lunch during which delegates met with members of Bidhanagar Council and guests from the local business community. Regional Councillor Joe Li, who was born and raised in Kolkata, made remarks on behalf of the Markham delegation.

Team Markham also had the opportunity to visit factories in the Bantala/Tangra district owned by members of Markham’s Hakka Chinese community. The day ended with a dinner in honour of the Markham delegation attended more than 250 guests. Dinner was followed by Chinese New Year celebrations at Pei May High School.

QUOTES

Mayor Frank Scarpitti – “Markham’s Hakka Chinese community has contributed greatly to the prosperity of both Kolkata and Markham. During this mission, they helped to build a bridge between our cities, which will facilitate economic development and business exchange,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

Chair of the Economic Development Committee Councillor Alex Chiu – “Markham delegates received a lot of interest from both government officials and business leaders in Kolkata,” said Councillor Alex Chiu.

Regional Councillor Joe Li -- “Markham’s visit to Kolkata was greatly enhanced by the important contribution of Markham’s Hakka Chinese community. Having been born and raised in Kolkata, I was proud to introduce Kolkata to the Markham delegation,” said Regional Councillor Joe Li.

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong – “Our time spent in Kolkata was very productive,” said Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong. “We had the opportunity to meet with municipal officials, businesses and enjoy the culture.”

Councillor Amanda Collucci –We were warmly received by community, business and government leaders during our visit to Kolkata,” said Councillor Collucci.
 

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(Left to right) Councillor Amanda Collucci, Regional Councillor Joe Li, Chinese Consul General Mr. Ma Zhanwu, Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong, and Economic Development Chair Councillor Alex Chiu. 

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(5th from left to right) Regional Councillor Joe Li, Councillor Amanda Collucci, Economic Development Chair Councillor Alex Chiu, and Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong with members of the Hakka Chinese community in Kolkata.
 

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/> (4th from left to right): Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong, Economic Development Chair Councillor Alex Chiu, Trade Commissioner Arjun Dutta, Sri Samavo Gupta of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, Regional Councillor Joe Li, and Councillor Amanda Collucci with Eco Park and local Koltata business representatives. 

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(2nd from left to right) Councillor Amanda Collucci, Economic Development Chair Councillor Alex Chiu, Bidhannagar Mayor Sabayasachi Dutta, Regional Councillor Joe Li, and Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong with Bidhannagar Councillors and senior staff.
 

About Markham: Markham, a municipality with 350,000 residents centrally located in the Greater Toronto area, is home to over 400 corporate head offices and more than 1,100 high tech and life science companies. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community, enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.

About Markham India Mission 2016: The 17-member business delegation, led by Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, departed for its 13-day mission to India on January 29, 2016. The objectives of the 2016 Markham Business Mission are to: facilitate connections and trade between Markham SME delegates and their counterparts and clients in India; further position Ontario and Markham as an investment destination for Indian entrepreneurs and companies interested in entering the North American market; leverage and grow Markham’s relationships with its academic partners including York University and Seneca College; and help Markham companies access international talent and cutting-edge research emerging from university labs.

Mission objectives will be achieved through participation in a series of business meetings and events, and briefings in six cities on business opportunities in India and Canada.

Markham businesses represented by this year’s mission delegation include Markham Stouffville Hospital, LEA Group Holdings Ltd., Liberty Development, York University and NOVO Plastics Inc.