MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Department of Commerce and the Alabama Export Alliance will conduct a series of seminars on April 9 and 10 in Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile to help companies learn how Canada is a lucrative market for Alabama exports.
Keynote speakers — Frank Carrico, Commercial Consul for the U.S. consulate General in Toronto, and Mike McMurrary of Nova Scotia Business Inc. — will discuss how to successfully do business in Canada and how participating in the Southeastern United States-Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-CP) conference provides a unique opportunity to connect with business leaders, grow businesses and build new markets.
“While Canada is just across our northern border, it is important to remember that it is an international market,” said Hilda Lockhart, director of International Trade for the Alabama Department of Commerce. “It does have its own set of unique trade customs and regulations but has proven to be a lucrative market for Alabama businesses.”
Canada was Alabama’s No. 1 export market in 2012, with $3.9 billion in state-made goods shipped to that country. Canada’s consul general in Atlanta was in Alabama this month to promote expanded trade between his country and the state.
Business and government leaders will come together July 14 to 16 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to promote trade and investment between Alliance member states and provinces, including Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama.
“The business program will connect innovative companies, researchers, organizations and associations, including distributors, agents and brokers, manufacturers, information technology service providers and universities or other researchers who work in Marine Defense and Security Technologies, Global Gateways, Cleantech Innovation, Life Sciences and Health Technologies, who are seeking new business partners, sales, collaboration and investment partnerships,” said Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield.
Canfield said the conference has been beneficial for companies interested in business-to-business matching programs, including meeting opportunities with major anchor companies such as Emera, Nalcor and Irving Shipbuilding. Matchmaking opportunities will be held in Toronto prior to the conference.
The conference is free, but registration is requested. Contact Dara Steele at the Alabama Department of Commerce at 334-353-1762 or email dara.steele@commerce.alabama.gov. The seminar schedule includes:
- Huntsville: Chamber of Commerce Huntsville/Madison County, 225 Church Street April 9th, 8 am – 9:30 am;
- Birmingham: Birmingham Business Alliance, 505 20th St. North, April 9th 11:30 am – 1 pm; and
- Mobile: April 10th Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, 451 Government Street, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm.
For more information and to register today visit the conference’s website.
