The U.S. Commercial Service in Toronto will host an Automotive Parts and Accessories Dealmaker in Hamilton, Ontario on April 18-19, 2001. This trade event is designed to coincide with the Canadian Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) Annual Conference and Exhibition. Located in the heart of the automotive corridor of Canada, the APMA event is an ideal forum for U.S. companies to evaluate current business practices, exchange ideas, and obtain valuable market information on current trends, new technologies and the latest in automotive product and services. CS Toronto will have space on the exhibition floor to conduct one-on-one appointments and to promote the U.S. participant's product and services.

The participation fee of US$750 will provide each U.S. participant with:

• Two-days of scheduled individual business appointments
• market exposure for the company’s products/services to key industry buyers in Canada through a promotional brochure; event website with hot links to the company's website in the U.S.A.
• business counseling services
• follow-up support after the dealmaker event
• logistical support during their visit in Canada

U.S. companies that offer the following products will be well suited for this trade event:

The Canadian economy grew by 3.1 percent in 1998. A consensus of private sector forecasters estimates that growth will ease to 2.9 percent in 1999 and 2.4 percent in 2000. These growth projections are in line with an anticipated slowdown in the global economy and lingering financial uncertainties. The Canadian economy is, however, expected to outperform its G-7 counterparts, with the exception of the United States. Private consumption has been forecast to grow by at least two percent in 1999 and again in 2000. While consumer spending is threatened by record high consumer debt and a low savings rate (2.3 percent in 1998), impetus for growth should come from relatively low interest rates, net wage and employment gains, and fiscal stimulus provided in the fiscal year 1999-2000 Canadian federal budget introduced in February 1999. Business investment should also benefit from low interest rates and firming commodity prices, which bodes well for corporate profits, employment, and consumer spending.

Growth in Canada's export sector should continue to be fueled by ongoing strength in the U.S. economy and Canada's low dollar. Global disinflationary pressures have more than offset the negative impact of the low Canadian dollar on import prices and consumer price inflation. Consequently, Canada's inflation rate is at the lower end of the Bank of Canada's one-to-three percent target band.

The mission’s goal is to provide U.S. firms with a cost-effective and efficient method of entering the Canadian market by providing the opportunity to develop relationships with, and promote their products to potential representatives, buyers and business partners in Canada.

The Automotive Parts and Accessories Dealmaker in Hamilton, Ontario on April 18-19, 2001 will entail two days of pre-arranged one-on-one meetings with qualified Canadian business partners. U.S. participants will also have the opportunity to network with key industry players at the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) trade event. Following the event, CS Toronto will continue to assist participants to meet their business objectives in Canada.

This trade event will be held in Hamilton, Ontario on April 18-19, 2001.

Recruitment will be undertaken by CS Toronto with the assistance of the U.S. Export Assistance Centers, State Economic Development Offices, Small Business Associations, U.S. multipliers and associations. Promotion of the event will be handled by our interactive trade event website www.missionminder.com, e-mail, direct mail and video conferencing. Event is listed on our CS Canada’s home page, http://www.USATrade.gov.

The criteria for participation are as follows:

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

Contact Information

Madellon C. Lopes

Project Manager

U.S. Commercial Service, Toronto

480 University Avenue, Suite 602

Toronto, ON M5G 1V2

Tel: 416 / 595-5412, ext. 227

Fax: 416 / 595-5419

Email: madellon.lopes@mail.doc.gov