Key insights on foreign trade and investment – challenges and opportunities in 2021
The past year contained one nasty surprise after another for businesses and policy makers focused on international trade. From the pandemic to hostile actions by foreign trade partners, the blows kept coming. So how do we prepare for what’s to come in 2021?
Join us for an enlightening series of talks featuring key insiders outlining the major macro changes they expect to see in the year ahead, and burrowing down to what these changes could mean for the West, prompted by questions from provincial co-moderators. This series is being presented by the Canada West Foundation with the support of Export Development Canada and in partnership with Calgary Economic Development, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, World Trade Centre Winnipeg and Edmonton Global.
Join us for four sessions in February and March. Register below.
EVENTS
The Rest of Asia: From ASEAN, to CPTPP and RCEP
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Time: 6:00PM-7:00PM (MT)
Session 01
What’s coming from the alphabet soup of trade alliances in Asia? For those looking at managing or pursuing trade and investment opportunities beyond the big three Asian economies of Japan, Korea and China.
Read highlights from the session here
Insider
Dr. Deborah Elms, President of the Asian Trade Centre in Singapore and a frequent CWF collaborator. Dr. Elms is one of the leading global experts on Asian trade blocs and how these agreements impact SMEs.
Co-moderators
Chris Dekker, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Trade Export Partnership
Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO, World Trade Centre Winnipeg
Mustafa Sahin, Vice President, Investment & Trade, Edmonton Global
It was engaging and lively conversation – Carlo likened it to heading into bar following a major global trade conference and seeing the keynote speaker with four folks you know from Western Canada at a table talking, and you get to pull up a chair and listen.
Beyond Brexit
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Time: 12:00-1:00PM (MT)
Session 02
From a new trade deal with Canada to joining the Trans-Pacific Trade agreement, where is the U.K. headed post-Brexit and what does this mean for Canadian businesses?
Read highlights from the session here
Insider
Andy Barr, Head of Economics & Trade at the British High Commission in Canada. This will be Andy’s second trip out west since coming to Canada. Andy is an engaging, straight forward speaker who gave one of the best received of CWF’s Calgary-based Pop-up policy talks.
Co-moderators
Patrick Mattern, Vice President, Business Development, Calgary Economic Development
Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO, World Trade Centre Winnipeg
Mustafa Sahin, Vice President, Investment & Trade, Edmonton Global
Moving goods, will this little piggy get to market?
Join us Thursday, March 11, 2021
Time: 12:00PM-1:00PM (MT)
Session 03
Having access to foreign markets and willing customers doesn’t matter if we cannot move our goods, or if customers don’t trust our ability to deliver. CWF has a deep knowledge base on the current status, underlying issues and fixes to Canada’s trade infrastructure woes. We’ll share insights with a look at the year ahead and what businesses can do.
Read highlights from the session here
Insider
John Law, CWF Senior Fellow and former Deputy Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, Government of Saskatchewan and former Chair of the National Council of Deputy Ministers of Transportation and President of the Transportation Association of Canada.
Co-moderators
Chris Dekker, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Trade Export Partnership
Patrick Mattern, Vice President, Business Development, Calgary Economic Development
Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO, World Trade Centre Winnipeg
Mustafa Sahin, Vice President, Investment & Trade, Edmonton Global
The Other NAFTA Partner
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Time: 12:00-1:00PM (MT)
Session 04
Often forgotten because of our focus on the U.S., Canada’s other partner in the new NAFTA, Mexico, represents significant opportunities beyond energy. However, Mexico is still an under-explored market with a GDP per capita higher than that of China, and is integrated into NAFTA and CPTPP supply and production chains. But, there are numerous challenges for businesses in Mexico, including the stability of the investment climate. In this market, getting insights from someone on the ground is essential to success.
Insider
Ambassador Graeme Clark, Canadian Embassy, Mexico City. Ambassador Clark will present a frank, on the ground perspective on the current state of affairs in Mexico along with opportunities and risks that flow thereunder.
Co-moderators
Chris Dekker, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Trade Export Partnership
Patrick Mattern, Vice President, Business Development, Calgary Economic Development
Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO, World Trade Centre Winnipeg
Mustafa Sahin, Vice President, Investment & Trade, Edmonton Global
