Three key reasons to join TBEA’s October trade mission to Canada
July 22, 2015
If you’re considering new international markets for your business, our neighbor to the north warrants a closer look.
That’s why the Tampa Bay Export Alliance (TBEA), a cooperative effort between the Tampa Hillsborough EDC and Pinellas County Economic Development, is hosting a trade mission to Toronto, Canada on October 19-22. Detailed information about the mission can be found at www.tampabayexportalliance.com.
Earlier this month, the TBEA hosted two “Doing Business with Canada” market briefings for those interested in exploring expansion opportunities there. The briefings featured presentations from Ximena Pauvif-Macahado, Trade Commissioner with the Canadian Consulate General in Miami and Anya Yablonska of U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto.
While there are many reasons why doing business in Canada makes sense, three important ones emerged during the briefings:
1. Canada has been ranked the best country in the G20 for business, and the most tax competitive country in the G7. It has the richest middle class, and the country has not experienced a default since World War II. This economic stability makes Canada a smart international business destination and a good bet for companies making their first foray into global expansion as well as multinational veterans.
2. The U.S. – Canada trade relationship is the largest in the world. Canada is also the #1 export destination for goods and services from Tampa Bay and the third largest source of foreign direct investment in the area. Top export sectors including aerospace, information technology, manufacturing, automotive, and film and digital media offer plenty of opportunities for local firms to do business north of the border.
3. TBEA is offering Canada mission participants a Trade/Gold Key Package designed to save busy executives time and money and maximize business opportunities over the course of a few jam-packed days. This package includes customized counseling on market entry or expansion strategy, pre-screened one-on-one matchmaking appointments, as well a car and driver for appointments. Businesses interested in the Trade/Gold Key Package will be reviewed by U.S. Commercial Service industry experts to make sure they are a good match for the opportunities in Canada.
Participation is limited to 15 companies and spaces are going fast. The deadline to enroll is August 14 but will likely fill before that time – so if you are interested, please contact Lorrie Belovich, the EDC’s Director of International Business, at lbelovich@tampabayedc.com today.
A Delegate Package is also available. This package does not include the matchmaking appointments, but does offer most of the other aspects of the Trade/Gold Key Package, including a country briefing by U.S. Embassy Officials, entry to all mission events, networking opportunities, site visits, and ground transportation to official mission activities.
“We expect quite a large business delegation for Toronto this fall,” Belovich said. “Between the two packages available, delegates will be able to explore diverse business opportunities available in Canada and build valuable relationships that can have a lasting impact on their organizations’ future.”
