Canadian SME Gateway to India
India’s economic growth is leading to an increase in income and consumer spending which presents tremendous opportunities for Canadian companies.
Take advantage of curated information to make better decisions and avoid mistakes, deepen your understanding to enter, grow and succeed in the Indian market.
Key information for Canadian SMEs
Learn more about the vibrant Indian market and business opportunities across the country's many regions.
Service providers
Options for establishing a business
Ecommerce in India
Learn about the main players in the e-commerce marketplace in India, marketing strategies and more
New Government procurement in India
Learn about the digital public procurement portal of the Indian government
Market entry options
Discover what business establishment options and market entry strategies are best suited for you
Negotiating a commercial agreement
Learn how to negotiate and execute a valid commercial agreement and obtain information about the Indian law on stamping and registration
Opening a bank account in India
The different types of bank accounts available for businesses and the requirements for opening one
New Project office
Eligibility and compliance in establishing a project office in India
Role of relationships and types of essential relationships in business
The importance of fostering the right business relationships to help you succeed in India
New Setting up a Liaison Office in India
Learn about the establishment of liaison offices in India and the scope of their eligible activities
Special economic zones
Learn more about geographical regions that have liberal economic laws across India and how you can leverage them
Fiscal and accounting policies
Double taxation avoidance agreements
How to avoid double taxation and the different tax relief mechanisms
New Equalization levy and goods and services tax in ecommerce transactions
Learn about the levy applicable to certain online transactions and the interplay with GST in E-Commerce transactions
New Financing and fund repatriation
Discover the different methods through which international entities can finance their subsidiary and repatriate funds
GST in India: Goods and services tax
Different rates of GST applicable to different products and information about registration
New Indian tax system for Canadian companies
Navigating the Indian tax system for foreign enterprises
Payment options in India
Find information about payment methods in International Trade
Update Tax and audit deadlines in India
Tax and audit requirements for companies doing business in India
Update Tax rates in India
Tax rates applicable to companies and individuals in India
Human resources
New Employee benefit programs
Some common employee benefits programs offered by companies in India
New Employee provident fund
Some of India's most important social security programs for workers, retirement benefits and pension schemes
New Employment contracts in India
Key components, restrictions, and types of employment contracts in India
New Employment visa for foreign employees in India
Learn about the categories, eligibility, restrictions, and documents required for the processing of an employment visa
New Human resources and technology
How technology is being used to improve HR practices and address challenges in the workplace
New Income tax and obligations of employers with respect to tax laws
Information for employers on income tax regimes and their responsibilities regarding the income tax of their employees
New Labour laws in India
Labour laws enacted and enforced at the federal and state levels
New Leave system in India
The main categories of leave employees may be entitled to
New Recruitment process in India
Learn about the steps involved in recruiting potential candidates
New Salary structure
Learn about the components and types of employee salaries in establishing a competitive pay structure in India
New Social security obligations
More information on India's social security schemes for employees and agreements for foreigners working in the country
New Termination process
Types of termination, best practices, and rules regarding termination in compliance with local labour laws
New Types of employees
Information on the categories of employees in India
Export logistics and sales
Drafting sales contracts in India
Best practices when drafting a sales contract with an Indian customer
Import requirements
Information about the steps involved in importing goods to India
Labelling and customs regulations
Information about the different labelling standards in India and what should be on your labels
Legal Metrology Act
Learn about the rules and regulations for weighing and measuring goods destined to be sold in India
Logistics and distribution
Key considerations related to logistics when exporting to India
Intellectual Property (IP) protection
Copyright registration
Procedures for copyright registration and the rights of copyright owners in India
New Data privacy legislation
Information on laws regulating digital data processing and prevent companies from transferring data across borders
Patent protection
Key considerations related to patent protection, the types of patents that exist and a step-by-step guide on registration
The benefits of IP Rights
Key considerations related to IP protection when doing business in India
Trademark registration
Why trademark registration should be part of your strategy and how to get your trademark registered
Trade secret protection
How to use trade secrets to sustain a competitive advantage in India
Additional resources
- Export Development Canada’s market intelligence for the Indo-Pacific region
- Nexdigm’s Doing business in India: a guide to business, tax and the regulatory environment
Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) network and support
Our team in India is composed of 47 trade commissioners located in 8 points of service across the country. For general trade inquiries contact: indiacommerce@international.gc.ca.
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