Report to: Economic Development Committee Report Date: June 23, 2009

SUBJECT: India Investment Attraction Program

PREPARED BY: Christina Kakaflikas, Manager, Special Projects, ext. 6590

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “India Investment Attraction Program” be received;

That the Town participate in the Pan Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) 2009 USA conference to be held in Chicago, from October 9-11th and be represented by Mayor Frank Scarpitti, the Economic Development Director (S. Chait), and the Manager of Special Projects (C. Kakaflikas),

That the Town participate in the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA) mission to India, from October 30^th - November 10^th, and be represented by the Economic Development Director (S. Chait), and the Manager of Special Projects (C. Kakaflikas),

And that the cost of the India Investment Attraction Program not exceed $25,000.00 and be expensed from within the pre-approved 2009 “China and India Investment Attraction Program” Capital Budget (acct. #610-10156999052),

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial 5. Others (Strategic, Affected Units) 6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

To authorize business travel by Town representatives to Chicago on October 9-11^th for the Pan IIT Conference and to India October 30^th to November 10^th 2009, to participate in the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA)/Town of Markham Business Mission to India. The above initiatives are undertaken as part of Markham’s Economic Strategy, specifically the “Global Markham” initiatives undertaken to promote Markham as a preferred location for Information and Communication Technology and New Media and other related high-tech investments.

DISCUSSION:

The approved 2009 Economic Development Marketing Program includes a priority focus on China and India. Markham Economic Development’s 2009 India Investment Attraction program includes two key components: participation in the Pan Indian Institutes of Technology conference in Chicago; and participation in the GTMA’s business mission to India in November.

Pan IIT

Economic Development staff meet regularly with the members of the Indian Institute of Technology Alumni Association of Canada (IITAC) as part of our Global Markham initiatives. IITAC members are business leaders of successful organizations across Canada and have held several of their Alumni meetings in Markham.

The Pan IIT Global Alumni Conference is an annual two-day event held alternatively in India and abroad. This year’s conference is taking place in Chicago and is expected to draw over 2,500 top level executives of leading ICT companies from around the world.

The conference provides Markham with a strategic opportunity to promote the Town as a competitive investment location in two of its four key sectors: the convergence of Information and Communication Technologies and Life Sciences; and Cultural, Information and Entertainment industries including new media. The Pan IIT Global Alumni Conference is held alternatively in India and abroad – New Delhi (2004), Washington DC (2005), Mumbai (2006), Santa Clara (2007), Chennai (2008). It has established itself as a premier event, by bringing together an eclectic group of industry visionaries, thought leaders and IIT Alumni from across the globe.

With featured talks from some of the most eminent industrialists, politicians, academicians and media personnel from across the globe, sponsorships by industrial giants and one of the strongest alumni participations in history, this conference is expected to be the best of the series thus far. Jim Owens, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc in Peoria, IL, Raghuram G. Rajan, Eric J. Gleacher Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, University of Chicago and Former Chief Economist - International Monetary Fund, and Prith Banerjee, Senior Vice President of Research, and Director, HP Labs, Hewlett Packard Corporation are just a few of the speakers that will be addressing the PAN IIT 2009 audience on innovation and entrepreneurship.

The conference program provides multiple opportunities for business networking as well as panel discussions on a variety of important subjects including medical device manufacturing; emerging technologies in energy and the environment including alternative energy technologies; innovations in healthcare technologies; and global manufacturing trends.

GTMA Mission

On behalf of the Town of Markham, the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance is organizing a business mission to Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad in November. A key part of the mission will be the NASSCOM Animation and Gaming Summit in Hyderabad which takes place Wednesday November 4^th to Friday November 6^th 2009. NASSCOM Animation & Gaming India is a two day event that attracts animators, producers, program directors, broadcasters, production units involved in media & entertainment, art & design schools, IT companies, investors, VC’s, government officials from Films Division/ Information and Broadcasting Departments, media etc. It also provides an opportunity for Indian animation, gaming, electronic media, mobile and console players to demonstrate their competencies, strengths and capabilities.

Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment centre of India, generating 5% of India's GDP and accounting for 25% of industrial output, 40% of maritime trade, and 70% of capital transactions to India's economy. Mumbai is home to important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India and the corporate headquarters of many Indian companies and numerous multinational corporations. The city also houses India's Hindi film and television industry, known as Bollywood.

Pune is today fast emerging as an InfoTech hub, challenging Bangalore and Mumbai to emerge as one of the top contenders for the 'Silicon Valley of India' slot. Pune is home to well known giants of the Indian software industry like Wipro, Infosys, Satyam, Tata Technologies, TCS, Kanbay, Veritas, Cognizant, PCS and Mahindra British Telecom and upcoming companies like e-Zest Solutions, Cybage, Disha Technologies.

Markham’s Objectives for the mission:

1. Promote Markham as preferred investment location and strategic partnering opportunities

2. Strengthen business awareness of Markham with Canadian and Indian technology companies

3. Further identify opportunities to increase investment and trade

4. Raise awareness about Markham’s competitive advantages and investment opportunities

Draft Agenda:

Friday October 30^th, 2009

· Late night departure for Mumbai

Saturday October 31^st, 2009

· Late night arrival in Mumbai; transfer to hotel in district close to film and media sector

Sunday November 1^st, 2009

· Private program

· Evening Welcome Reception

Monday November 2^nd, 2009

· Morning orientation and introduction to intermediaries (Ontario International Marketing Centre, Canadian Trade Office and Canadian High Commission)

· Introduction to doing business in India

· Meetings in two streams – Digital Media and Clean Technologies

· GTA presentation – “Why do business with the GTA and the opportunities in Digital Media and Clean Technologies”

Tuesday November 3^rd, 2009

· Meetings in two streams – Digital Media and Clean Technologies

· Late night departure for Hyderabad

Wednesday November 4^th:

· Participate in NASSCOM Animation and Gaming Summit 2009

· Optionally attend meetings in Hyderabad

Thursday November 5^th:

· Participate in NASSCOM Animation and Gaming Summit 2009

· Optionally attend one-on-one meetings in Hyderabad

Friday November 6^th:

· Meetings in Hyderabad

Saturday November 7^th :

· Private Program

· Early evening flight to Pune

· Arrive Pune and transfer to hotel

Sunday November 8^th:

· Private Program in Pune

Monday November 9^th:

· Meetings in Pune

· Digital Media Association reception in the evening

Tuesday November 10^th:

· Meetings in Pune

· Early evening flight to Mumbai for onward connection back to Canada

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE

The Town’s cost for Markham representatives to participate on these two targeted India investment attraction missions is $25,000 including any applicable taxes. This includes the cost of airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, meals, production of marketing materials, pre-mission meeting arrangements, in-market events and presentations.

Chicago Pan IIT:

Airfare to/from Chicago ($600/person) $1,800.00

Hotel (2 nights/person) 900.00

Ground Transportation, Materials and Meetings 2,300.00 Subtotal $5,000.00

GTMA:

Airfare to/from Mumbai ($1,500/person) $3,000.00

Registration, Travel, meals and accommodations ($6,650/person) 13,300.00

In-market events and presentations 2,000.00

Post-mission follow-up meetings and presentations 1,700.00

Sub Total $20,000.00

Total $25,000.00

The cost of the India Investment Attraction Program (not to exceed $25,000.00) will be expensed from within the Council approved 2009 “China and India Investment Attraction Program” Capital Budget (acct. #610-10156999052).

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

The Pan IIT Conference and the GTMA-Markham business mission to India are integral parts of the Town’s 10-Year Economic Strategy, “Markham 2020”. The Pan IIT Conference and the GTMA’s Mission focus on two of Markham’s 4 targeted economic sectors, ICT & Life Sciences Convergence, and Information, Cultural and Entertainment Industries and address the objective of building Global Markham and Branded Markham.

DEPARTMENTS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

N/A.

RECOMMENDED BY:

___________________________ ________________________________

Stephen A. Chait, Ec.D., CMC Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director, Economic Development Commissioner of Development Services

ATTACHMENTS:

A. GTMA India mission brochure