In the News
Carbon Footprint Symposium
How changes to the MARKETPLACE could affect EXPORTS and VALUE CHAINS
March 2, 2010 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Sheraton Cavalier Hotel
Agriculture and Agri–Food Canada is partnering with Enterprise Saskatchewan and Stark and Marsh Chartered Accountants to hold a one day symposium on carbon foot printing. The event will be held at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on March 2, 2010.
The goal of the symposium is to raise awareness and share knowledge with Saskatchewan exporters and manufacturers regarding the changes being proposed under Federal legislation, the field of accounting and equity markets, and how this could affect exports and value chains across the country.
The target audience for this event is small– to medium–sized enterprises with a focus on manufacturers and exporters. Other interested parties may include non–profit associations, government, media, and securities regulators.
Confirmed Speakers include:
- Gary Hufbauer, Peterson Institute for International Economics
- Gord Kurbis, Pulse Canada
- Graham Campbell, Conference Board of Canada
- Michael Stein, Akzo Nobel Chemicals
- Joe Muldoon, Saskatchewan Research Council
- Lisa French, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
- Dean Stinson O’Gorman, Environment Canada
- Michael Stein, Akzo Nobel Chemicals
- Rob Janzen, Climate Check
- Jim Johnston, BMO
The cost of this exciting event is $100 and seating is limited. Act fast to not miss out on this key event!
A block of hotel rooms is available at the Park Town Hotel and the Delta Bessborough under the name SEDA/SaskMade.
For more information or to register, contact the Saskatchewan Economic Development Association at 306–384–5817 or email verona.thibault@seda.sk.ca. More information will be posted on the SEDA website at www.seda.sk.ca.
Going Global Exporting Workshop
Trade Team Saskatchewan held its fourth Going Global: An Introduction to International Trade workshop in Weyburn on November 18, 2009, with great success.
A total of 10 delegates from southeast Saskatchewan participating in the workshop, which helpds businesses to explore business exportation and international trade. The three–hour workshop, led by Wayne Robinson of the Estey Centre in Saskatoon, explained how to become involved in international trade, as well as how to increase profit margins through exportation.
Trade Team Saskatchewan held the workshop in partnership with Community Futures Sunrise, Estevan and District Board of Tourism, Trade and Commerce, Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs, Southeast Regional Economic Development Authority, and Weyburn Chamber of Commerce.
Thinning the Border Educational Trade Mission
Learning how to manage American and Canadian Customs can be a daunting task for Saskatchewan companies new to exporting, but for participants involved in Thinning the Border, the process recently became clearer.
Thinning the Border, an educational trade mission to Minot, North Dakota, was held on October 21–22, 2009 with 20 delegates taking part, including Saskatchewan manufacturers, service providers, non-profit organizations, TTS trade specialists, and Customs Brokers agents.
Hosted by Trade Team Saskatchewan (TTS), the mission aimed to teach best practices in export management and to provide a hands–on approach to Canadian and American customs procedures and rules.
On Day One of the mission, delegates set off from Regina for North Portal, SK. While en route, they heard presentations from TTS partner staff and FedEx and Cole International USA customs brokers. In North Portal, the delegates divided into two groups: those with no exporting experience, and those with some exporting knowledge. Delegates without prior experience gained insight through presentations by the Canadian Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Those in the advanced exporting group held individual meetings with border agents to discuss their specific export product and address any issues or questions.
From North Portal, the group traveled on to Minot and checked into the Holiday Inn Riverside. A reception was held that evening to welcome the mission participants. Special guests at the reception included the Honourary Consulate and local politicians.
On Day Two of the mission, seminars were provided on common international trade issues, such as logistics, legal, transport, and marketing. Individual meetings followed between companies and transportation and distribution agencies based in Minot.
The mission ended with a return trip to Regina, during which presentations were provided by TTS partners and participating companies.
Overall, the majority of participants indicated they satisfied with the event and that they would use the information to change the way they do business. All of the participants expressed interested in pursuing further information on international exporting.
Thinning the Border continues on with the success of a similar trade mission to Minot held last year, then called Broaden Your Borders. New for the 2009 mission were one–on–one meetings for delegates with Canadian Border Services agents U.S. Custom officials, as well as logistics and distribution companies based in Minot.