British Columbia and India

With one of the largest economies and the largest population in the world alongside a rising middle class, there are significant trade and investment opportunities in India. India’s market specializes in IT services with a skilled and English-speaking workforce.

Trade & Investment Highlights

  • In partnership with the Government of Canada, B.C.’s Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) opened an office in Mumbai, India in 2014 to expand opportunities for B.C. forest products across India’s high-potential market. The Alacrity B.C. Cleantech Initiative has an in-market presence in India, assisting B.C.’s cleantech, ocean and marine companies at an international level.
  • Through Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada will grow economic ties, including through deeper trade and investment, as well as cooperate on building resilient supply chains with India.
  • British Columbia and India maintain diverse economic relations, strengthened through conversations surrounding a Foreign Investment Promotion Agreement (FIPA) and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries.

India at a Glance

Monetary figures are in USD

Opportunity for Foreign Investors and B.C. Exporters

India Top Industries (2018-2023)

Industries for Outward Investment
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Coal, Oil & Gas

Coal, Oil & Gas
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Software & IT Services

Software & IT Services
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

Source: FDI Markets

Import Industries
(by value)
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Mineral Fuels & Oils

Mineral Fuels & Oils
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Pearls, Precious Stones & Metals

Pearls, Precious or Semi-precious Stones & Metals
Investment Opportunities in Canada - Electrical Machinery Equipment

Electrical Machinery & Equipment

Source: International Trade Centre

Fastest Growing Import Opportunities
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Copper

Copper
Investment Opportunities in Canada:  Inorganic Chemicals

Inorganic Chemicals
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Fertilizer

Fertilizers

Source: International Trade Centre

BC Export Industries to Market
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Mineral Fuels & Oils

Mineral Fuels & Oils
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Mineral Ores, Slag & Ash

Mineral Ores, Slag & Ash
Investment Opportunities in Canada: Wood Pulp & Recovered Paper

Wood Pulp & Recovered Waste Paper

Source: BC Stats, data sourced from Statistics Canada

How We Help

  • Assist in commercial location identification and site selection.
  • Provide information on transportation infrastructure and logistics gateways.
  • Offer introductions to sector associations, industries and provide cluster insight.
  • Facilitate understanding and solutions for talent, skilled workforce and labour mobility
  • Facilitate engagement with professional advisors on legal, compliance and tax matters
  • Help navigating and offering referrals within government agencies on First Nations, business and regulatory processes.
  • Identify high potential investment opportunities and offer industry insight.
  • Introductions to sector associations and local industry contacts.
  • Introductions to companies seeking investments to expand.
  • Provide knowledge on local innovation hubs and connections to entrepreneurial opportunities.
  • Introductions to local venture capital networks.
  • Assist in navigating government export programs and financial supports.
  • Advice and coaching in international expansion and exporter development.
  • Support Team BC missions and trade events.
  • Match buyers and sellers in local and foreign markets.
  • Provide insight on trade agreements and barriers.
  • Introductions to trade representatives in foreign markets.
  • Market entry assistance in international markets.

Trade & Investment Offices in India

Chandigarh

Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab, home of the majority of Indian immigrants to British Columbia, Canada. The Punjab and British Columbia have strong historical, cultural and social connections, and businesses in both regions are natural commercial partners. Our Chandigarh office builds awareness of the business and cultural connections between British Columbia and Punjab.

The team uses its extensive networks in Punjab and strong relationships with British Columbia to help businesses identify shared opportunities, including in the growing areas of tourism, agrifoods and education.

Chandigarh Office:
Consulate General of Canada
C413-C416, 4th Floor, Elante Office Complex, 
Plot No. 178-178A, Industrial & Business Park
Chandigarh – 160002, India

Tel: +91 172 505 0439

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:

Prashanth Nair - Trade & Invest BC
Prashanth Nair
Managing Director, India
Rajesh Sharma - Trade & Investment
Rajesh Sharma
Senior Commercial Officer

Delhi

Delhi is the capital of India and is the second largest city (by population) after Mumbai. Delhi is home to both the Indian parliament and most federal government headquarter offices. The city has emerged as a major business capital and gateway to key northern Indian cities.

Our Delhi team uses its extensive networks throughout India and strong relationships with British Columbia to help businesses identify shared opportunities in a variety of sectors, including investment attraction and government relations.

Delhi Office:
High Commission of Canada
7/8 Shantipath, Chanakaypuri,
New Delhi – 110021

Tel.: +91-11-41782000  

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:

Prashanth Nair - Trade & Invest BC
Prashanth Nair
Managing Director, India
Harish Vaidyanathan - Trade & Invest BC
Harish Vaidyanathan
Senior Commercial Officer

Mumbai

Our Trade and Investment Representative office in Mumbai is the hub for British Columbia’s programs and activities throughout India. Mumbai is India’s financial and business capital, and a centre for natural resource investment. It is among the world’s top 10 trade centres and is the key trade destination in India.

Our Mumbai team’s expertise and extensive networks help companies in India and British Columbia capitalize on shared business opportunities, including resources, clean technology, information and communication technologies, life sciences, and transportation.

Mumbai Office:
Consulate General of Canada,
One International Center, Tower 2, 21st Floor,
Senapati Bapat Marg, Elphinstone Road (West),
Mumbai 400 013

Tel.: +91 22 49224600

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:

Prashanth Nair - Trade & Invest BC
Prashanth Nair
Managing Director, India
Trade & Investment Representative - Maithili Jhaveri
Maithili Jhaveri
Senior Commercial Officer

Bengaluru

India and British Columbia have strong historical, cultural and social connections, and businesses in both regions are natural commercial partners.

The team uses its extensive networks in Bengaluru and strong relationships with British Columbia to help businesses identify shared opportunities.

Bengaluru Office:
Consulate General of Canada
World Trade Center, 22nd Floor, 26/1
Dr. Rajkumar Road, Malleshwaram West
Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru, 560055 India

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:

Prashanth Nair - Trade & Invest BC
Prashanth Nair
Managing Director, India
Prateek Bhatia - Trade and Investment BC
Prateek Bhatia
Senior Commercial Officer

Connect With Our International Network

Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more. Connect with an expert near you.