Mission Description

The Department of Commerce's Commercial Service office in Toronto will host the ELECTRICAL POWER TRADE MISSION & SEMINAR, March 19, 20 2001. This trade event and seminar is designed to provide small-to-medium export-ready companies, utilities and their suppliers with a first-hand opportunity to become familiar with the Canadian electrical power market, establish new and profitable commercial relations, and provide valuable trade and market-related information from up-to-date industry briefings.

The participation fee of US$950 will provide each U.S. participant with:

• Scheduled matchmaking services with qualified Canadian business partners
• Industry briefings from business and government experts, among others, on:
• "How to do business in Canada"
• "Deregulation in Canada's Electrical Power Industry"
• Market exposure for company’s product line and services to key industry buyers in Canada
• Opportunity to participate in plant tours in the Greater Toronto Area
• Business counseling services
• Hospitality reception with Canadian business and government contacts
• Logistical support during their visit in Canada
• Follow-up support

• Electrical Power Equipment & Services
• Utilities
• Renewable Energy Equipment
• Environmental Control Systems

Canada’s economy is expected to be one of the fastest growing economies among the G-7 nations in 2000 and 2001. Real growth exceeded three percent in 1998, reached 2.9 percent in 1999 and is expected to ease to 2.4 percent in 2000. January 1, 1998 was the first year of total elimination of tariffs and duties on U.S.-origin exports to Canada under the NAFTA agreement. The Canadian economy is expected to register significant gains in consumer spending, business investment and new job creation. These factors, combined with Canada’s very low inflation rate, dramatic reductions in government deficits and current account surplus, have earned Canada the number one position on the Economist’s list of fifty countries with the best business climate in the world. In a recent comprehensive survey by World Trade magazine (June 2000), Canada was rated as the number one country for U.S. trade and expansion among 60 foreign nations included in the report.

Canada is the world's fifth largest energy producer following the United States, Russia, China and Saudi Arabia. Canada is also a world leader in long-distance electrical power transmission. Hydroelectric power is the largest domestic source of electric energy, representing 61 percent of the country's supply in 1997.

The Canadian electrical power industry is currently undergoing major reform, which is focused on increasing competition and lowering costs of electricity supply to manufacturers and consumers. Provincial governments across Canada are at the forefront of this reform, with Alberta and Ontario in the lead. The regulatory reforms put forth will allow for greater integration between the U.S. and Canadian electricity markets and possibly allow U.S. utilities to increase their export sales to Canada. Given Canada’s close proximity to the U.S. market, familiar business practices and high receptivity to U.S. goods and services, U.S. SMEs are extremely well positioned to capitalize on Canada’s growth and first-rate business climate.

Mission Goals

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 strategic business partners in Canada.

Mission Scenario

The ELECTRICAL POWER TRADE MISSION & SEMINAR is a two-day trade event which will commence on Monday, March 19. During the two-day event, each U.S. company will participate in pre-arranged, one-on-one meetings with qualified Canadian business partners. They will also have the opportunity to participate in a wide selection of seminars covering topics such as: "Doing Business in Canada"; "Deregulation in Canada's Electrical Power Industry"; among others. The Commercial Service office in Toronto will organize a networking business reception with respected business professionals and government officials. Following the event, the Commercial Service office in Toronto will continue to assist U.S. participants to meet their business objectives in Canada.

Recruitment and Criteria for Participation

Recruitment will be conducted by contacting U.S. firms directly, U.S. Export Assistance Centers, Export Assistance Centers, State Economic Development Offices, small business associations, U.S. multipliers and industry associations. Promotion for this event will be handled by e-mail, telephone, facsimiles, mailings, speaking engagements, word-of-mouth and, in some cases, video conferencing. ELECTRICAL POWER TRADE MISSION & SEMINAR information is available on the Commercial Service web site ( www.usatrade.gov/canada ) and a notice appears in the Federal Register.
 
 

The criteria for participation are as follows:

• relevance of the company’s business line to mission goals;
• potential for business in selected electricity markets;
• timeliness of the company's completed participation agreement and payment of the mission participation fee of US$950;
• provision of adequate information on the company’s products and/or services and communication of the company’s primary objectives;
• certification that the company meets the Department’s guidelines for participation.

Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and should be concluded by February 15, 2001. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contact Information

Peter D. Dykeman

Project Manager

Commercial Service - Toronto

480 University Avenue, Suite 602

Toronto, ON M5G 1V2

Tel: (416) 595-5412, ext. 226

Fax: (416) 595-5419

E-mail: peter.dykeman@mail.doc.gov

Website: www.usatrade.gov/canada