Mission Description:

Export Promotion Services Matchmaker Trade Delegation Program will lead an Information Technologies (IT) Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Toronto and Montreal, Canada May 6-9, 2002. The Matchmaker will target the IT industry, including the security, distance learning and tele-health sectors. An optional spin-off to Ottawa will be offered, Friday, May 10, 2002. The focus of the delegation will be to match participating U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licenses, and joint venture partners in these markets.

Commercial Setting:

In 2000, two-way trade in goods between the United States and Canada amounted to $411 billion, which was larger than total US merchandise trade with the entire 15-country European Union. When services, transfers, and investment income are included, total two-way trade was over $515 billion or an average of $1.4 billion each and every day. In fact, the U.S.-Canada trade relationship is the largest economic relationship that has ever existed between two nations. In 2000, the Canadian economy grew by an impressive 4.5 percent, further fueling U.S.-Canada trade. Economic growth is expected to continue at a rate of 2.5 percent in 2001, while rising slightly to 3.0 percent during 2002.

In 2000 the Canadian information technology market was estimated at $22 billion. Canada imports approximately 50% of its software (worth approximately $6 billion) from the U.S. Canada’s software market, expected to grow at 15 percent annually, is one of the fastest growing segments of the Canadian economy. By 2003 the Canadian customer relations management (CRM) software market alone is forecast to reach $255 million, growing at over 60 percent per year. Between $100- 250 million is spent annually on the purchase of equipment, maintenance and operation of tele-health systems in Canada. Tele-medicine is a major component of Canada’s tele-health markets and represents considerable business potential for U.S. suppliers.

Mission Goals:

The Matchmaker's goal is to gain first-hand market information and provide access to key government officials and potential business partners for new-to-market, and/or new-to-export U.S. IT firms desiring to enter the Canadian market.

Mission Scenario:

The Matchmaker will spend two days in Toronto and two days in Montreal. An optional one-day stop in Ottawa is being offered. At each stop, the Commercial Service will provide an extensive market briefing highlighting opportunities in the IT industry, schedule one-on-one appointments with potential business partners for each participant, and arrange hospitality events to introduce participants to key business, industry, and government officials.

Timetable:

Sunday, May 5 Arrive in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Evening Ice Breaker

Monday, May 6 Market Briefing

Matchmaker Meetings

Evening Reception

Tuesday, May 7 Matchmaker Meetings

Travel by coach to Montreal

Wednesday, May 8 Market Briefing

Matchmaker Meetings

Evening Reception

Thursday, May 9 Matchmaker Meetings

government procurement

Matchmaker Meetings

Conclusion

The Matchmaker will be promoted through the following venues: Export Assistance Centers and Teams; the Federal Register; relevant trade publications and associations; past Matchmaker and Commerce trade mission participants; EPS database; and on ITA’s Internet home page.

The participation fee will be $1,800 for the two stop Matchmaker to Toronto and Montreal, and $500 for the spin-off to Ottawa. Participation is open to the first 15 qualified U.S. companies. Recruitment will begin immediately and will close on March 29, 2002. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling permits.
 
 
 
 

Criteria for Participation:

• Relevance of the company's business line to mission goals

• Potential for business in the selected markets

• Timeliness of the company's completed application, participation agreement, and payment of the mission participation fee

• Provision of adequate information on the company's products and/or services and communication of the company's primary objectives to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners

• Certification that the company's products and/or services are manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51% of the value of the finished good or service.

Contact Information:

Bill Kutson, Project Manager

Matchmaker Trade Delegations Program

U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2012

Washington, D.C. 20230

Tel: (202) 482-2839

Fax: (202) 482-0178

E-mail:william.kutson@mail.doc.gov