A strategic stance

“As our Government dedicates its efforts over the months ahead to supporting the Canadian economy, so too does it rededicate itself to working in partnership with others to achieve this goal.” This statement from Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, pronounced during the Speech from the Throne on 19 November 2008, reaffirms the country’s intention to turn its sights to the international sphere more than ever.
Not surprising for an economy in which the proportion of exports is constantly rising. To privilege exchanges, the government can count on the country’s Chambers of Commerce overseas. Out of the seventeen Chambers present beyond Canadian borders, nine are found in Latin America, five in South-East Asia. Most of these countries, like Canada, are members of APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation), an organisation where the country, like Russia, is highly influential due to its considerable natural resources. “For many years now we have maintained privileged relationships with Japan, China and almost the whole of South America. Many of these countries hold significant potential requiring energy wealth such as ours in order for it to be expressed. We absolutely wish to keep our status as a privileged interlocutor,” explains Shirley-Ann George, Managing Director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, specialised in international policy.
Canada lives on its significant natural resources. In 2006, it was ranked eighth out of petrol producing countries. It is also a major supplier of gas, wheat and cereal, while also producing zinc, aluminium and lead… All these being raw materials in very high demand from emerging economies. “Canadian Chambers present on these markets have a great responsibility, due to numerous activities linked to trade in this wealth,” underlines Shirley-Ann George. The government wishes to offer more guarantees to raw material producers and commits to defending their interests during international negotiations. “Given the stakes involved in our resources, all Canadian Chambers of Commerce, inside and outside our borders, will follow concrete decisions attentively.”
In the Speech from the Throne, the Canadian government also recalled its desire to pursue “new trade agreements […] in Asia and the Americas, as well as with the European Union, to open markets for Canadian firms”.
Legislative measures ratifying the results of negotiations concluded with the European Free Trade Association, Peru and Colombia, are expected to emerge rapidly. During the sixteenth APEC summit that took place in November 2008, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper insisted on the importance of offering new opportunities to Canada on South-American soil, notably in Colombia, a country which will probably join APEC in the next few years. Shirley-Ann George declares that the integration of Colombia in the organisation “would be a very good thing and create favourable terrain for future exchanges and investments”.
Even if the Canadian Chambers of Belgium and Egypt are also seeking to play an influential role, the objective remains above all “to seek new trade opportunities in Asia and America”, says the Chamber’s Managing Director. Certain Chambers established overseas, such as the Chamber in Argentina, founded in 1977, have become reference contacts and today play a major role.
With over 400 million dollars (297 million euros) and direct investments of over 2 billion dollars (1.5 billion euros), its members represent the bulk of bilateral trade. Stimulated by the revitalisation of the Argentine economy, “this Chamber has been totally transformed and has increased in dynamism,” observes Shirley-Ann George. Other structures such as the Canadian Chamber in Japan or Thailand have been in place for over twenty years. “This seniority is a major asset. It provides Chambers with a sound knowledge of local developments, issues and networks created over time. This experience also confers upon them great freedom of action, in budget management as well as in terms of economic support and social policy, even if major directions are fixed by Ottawa."