The Indo‑Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) and the Indo‑American Business Chamber of SME (IABC) jointly celebrated International Women’s Day with a special event recognising the achievements of women across various sectors and emphasising the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs, particularly in the MSME ecosystem.
The event was opened by Dr Ajay Prakash Misra, who welcomed the guests and highlighted the need to strengthen opportunities and institutional support for women in the MSME sector. He stressed that empowering women entrepreneurs is essential for inclusive economic growth.
Addressing the gathering, Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business in the Government of Ontario, thanked the organisers for hosting the event and noted that it was a privilege to celebrate International Women’s Day in India alongside inspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs.
Tangri said Canada places great importance on recognising women’s contributions in society and governance. She shared a personal reflection about her mother, who raised six children and managed a small business after being widowed at a young age. “Watching her work tirelessly every day taught me the value of hard work, strong ethics and perseverance,” she said.
She also highlighted progress in women’s representation in politics, noting that Ontario elected its first female Speaker of the legislature last year — a milestone that she described as an important step toward breaking long-standing barriers.
Tangri further spoke about efforts by the Ontario government to improve the business environment by reducing regulatory hurdles. According to her, measures aimed at cutting red tape helped businesses save approximately $11.9 billion in 2025, along with thousands of hours in administrative processes.
Responding to a question on global conflicts involving the United States, Israel and Iran, Tangri called for empathy and prayers for people affected by violence and instability around the world. She said people should remain grateful for the peace and safety many societies enjoy while keeping those facing war and terrorism in their thoughts.
Prashant Srivastava, President of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the chamber’s objectives and the potential for stronger economic collaboration between India and Canada. He noted that Canada is an energy-rich nation and emphasised that both countries possess complementary strengths that can support deeper trade and business partnerships. He also invited Indian entrepreneurs to visit Canada with the chamber’s delegation to explore business opportunities and expand cooperation.
During the event, several women achievers were honoured with Women Excellence Awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
The programme concluded with remarks from Dr Subhash Goyal, Chair of the Delhi Chapter of the Indo-American Business Chamber of SME. Adding a touch of humour to the evening, he remarked that while people often say there is a woman behind every successful man, “there are often more than one woman behind an unsuccessful man,” drawing laughter from the audience and bringing the event to a cheerful close.
