Canada offers export opportunities to West Midland businesses

WEST Midland businesses looking to increase their exports have been advised to look at Canada as a potential market.

The British American Business Council (BABC) said businesses in the region had the potential to support Canada’s industrial needs, especially its trade in natural resources.

The appeal corresponds to recent suggestions that many firms in the region are not keen to export to China and similar countries because of language barriers and other perceived obstacles.

Barclays Wealth said many firms were far happier tapping into traditional markets in the United States and Western Europe because they understood the environment far better.

In 2010, trade between the two countries increased by 25%, despite the lingering effects of the world-wide economic slump.

Canadian exports to the UK soared by 34% – and the value of trade going the other way now stands at £6.7bn.

The business council is also keen to increase UK exports as a way of closing the balance of trade deficit.

Cassie Muir, chief executive of the BABC, which is part of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group, said: “80% of Canada’s exports to the UK are natural resources, which include nickel, wood and agricultural products. Similarly, 43% of UK exports to Canada are natural resource products, such as oil and gold.”

The business council is staging an event at the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham on March 7 to explain to firms about the potential opportunities available in Canada.

Brian Parrott, minister-counsellor and senior trade commissioner at the Canadian High Commission in London, will be offering advice on economic development, trade promotion and investment attraction activities to those attending.

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