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Canada-Pakistan Business Council was registered in
Montreal in 1983,as a non-profit organization by several
business organizations of Canadian and Pakistani origin, to
promote trade between Canada and Pakistan.
CPBC is a well reputed organization recognized by both the
Governments of Canada and Pakistan.
Over the last 20 years the Council has organized several trade
missions, to and from Pakistan, and has many success stories
under its belt.
Through the efforts of the Council, many leading Canadian
companies such as Teleglobe, New Bridge, etc in their hay
days set up their offices in Pakistan and successfully conducted
business.
In 1996, Anwar (Andy) Merchant was elected as the President
to give a new direction to the Council. The headquarters were
then moved from Montreal to Toronto. Since then 10 trade delegations
have been organized, resulting in several joint ventures and
business promotions.
A few Highlights include a transfer of technology agreement
between Aga Khan Hospital and Queen's University, between
CM INC and OPSTec (now known as Preston University).
Some business contracts were signed between Softlight
Inc, and 22 colleges and Universities for the promotion of
educational products.
Business was also concluded with a CNG company of Toronto
and Shell dealers of Pakistan to a tune of over 5 million
dollars.
In 1998 a Pak-Canada trade committee was formed by
the Federation of Chamber of Commerce of Pakistan to develop
the
bi-lateral trade.
In June 2003 an MOU was signed between Canadian
Manufacturers and Exporters and CPBC to promote the bilateral
trade between Canada and Pakistan by encouraging large Canadian
and Pakistani companies to establish business links.
In September CPBC signed 2 MOUs between International
Chamber of Commerce and Common Wealth Advantage
headed by Hon. Sinclair Stevens, ex Minister of Industries,
Govt. of Canada. This agreement will enhance the investment
and IT business. Canadian companies will procure business
from both Canada and USA and outsource to
Pakistan. This could result in hundreds of millions of dollars
worth of business over the next few years.
CPBC
also invites distinguished leaders and business men from
time to time to address the members of the Business Council.
- In 2002 CPBC invited Dr. Atta-Ur-Rahman, Minister
of Science and Technology along with key members of PSEB to
explore the business potential with Canada.
- In August CPBC organized a seminar for the visiting Minister
of Commerce, Mr. Humayun Akhtar and also introduced him
to leading business companies interested in joint ventures.
Canada-
Pakistan Business Council is a member of a loosely formed
organization of South Asian Business Council Alliance (SABCA).This
association was formed between various councils of Pakistan,
India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal last year and has
a mandate to promote Canadian Trade with South Asian countries.
So far three events have been organized.
- The
first event was in January of 2002 with Mr. Petti-grew Minister
of International Trade as the key note speaker.
- The 2nd speaker in November was Mr. Allan Rock, Minister
for Industry and Trade and finally
- in February various High Commissioners of South Asian countries
visiting Canada were invited to discuss the business possibilities
with South Asia and give their country reports.
In
1999, CPBC was also quite instrumental in raising funds for
the establishment of a permanent South Asian Art Gallery at
the Royal Ontario Museum. CPBC is also committed to the education
program. It has also adopted schools in the remote areas of
Karachi and Lahore and has given a scholarship to LUMS (Lahore
University of Management Science), which is affiliated with
McGill University in Montreal. Recently CPBC also awarded
a scholarship for journalism to a student from Pakistan towards
"Daniel Pearl Foundation" to create better understanding
between Pakistan and the western world.
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