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By Miguel Cortines, President Canadian Council for the Americas Alberta
April 10, 2017
CCA Alberta has put together an outstanding international business forum with an impressive lineup of guest speakers who will discuss “Canada and the Future of the Economic Regions in the Americas- Pacific”. The Forum format includes keynote addresses and business panels to provide in-depth insight and advice regarding the potential implications for trade and investment in key economic regions in the Americas atmosphere, and the impact and role that Asia is having at the region.
On terms of the Pacific RIM, we are expecting to hear from Eric Farnsworth, Vice President of the Council for the Americas in Washington D.C., on his opening address, about those specific potential opportunities at the Americas Pacific regions, that an expanded Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), led by China without the participation of the USA, could bring for Canadian companies, especially for Alberta companies. There has been an increasing interest in some Latin American countries to expand alliances and business relationships with Asia, where China has demonstrated particularly interest in lead the region. Canada, at the same time is strengthening its relationships with Asia and China, which represents significant business opportunities for expansion and diversification for Canadian companies looking to expand in international markets.
The morning address is led by Guillermo Rishchynski, Canadian Executive Director with the Inter-American Development Bank, who will provide “The State of the Americas” with the most current and relevant information that business need to be aware when doing business in the Americas region. We can expect Ambassador Rishchynski to provide key information about the social, economic and political environment that is currently happening in key countries in the Americas hemisphere including Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela, to mention some of them.
Our first panel will discuss The Future of Business in NAFTA from the point of view of our group of expert panelists from Mexico, Canada and USA, who have first-hand information and real practice expertise in business and policy making. Matt Rooney with the Bush Presidential Institute will provide an introduction to the “North American Competitiveness Scorecard” providing an example of how companies and organizations can benefit from this online tool. Dr. Sergio Alcocer is visiting us from Mexico to provide us with his insight on the how his country is dealing and preparing to deal with imminent renegotiations with the United States of America and Canada. From the Canadian perspective, we will be hearing from Andrea van Vugt with the Canada Business Council who will provide her perspective on the importance of the trilateral relationships within NAFTA countries, but also the significance of the bilateral relations between Canada and its two North American neighbors.
The Pacific Alliance between Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico, is one of the most actives examples of economic integration in the region, where Canada is an observer country and strategic partner in the Alliance. The Business Panel includes the participation of the Ambassadors assigned to Pacific Alliance countries to provide updated information about business opportunities for Western Canadian businesses. Some areas of opportunity that country partners have identified for enhanced cooperation between Canada and the Pacific Alliance includes trade facilitation and promotion; education and training; small and medium-sized enterprises; science, technology and innovation; responsible natural resource development, corporate social responsibility; and environment, including climate change and ocean conservation.
Our Luncheon keynote speaker, Bill Withelaw, President and CEO of JuneWarrens-Nickle’s Energy Group will be providing his perspective on the role and impact that Canada plays at the Future of the Economic Regions in the Americas-Pacific, and the implications in terms of business opportunities for Canadian companies to go internationally.
CCA Alberta is very glad in having the extensive business expertise of Deborah Yedlin, Business Columnist at the Calgary Herald, who will be our official panel moderator, and who will be enriching meaningful conversations with our keynote speakers.
I would like to personally invite all our business community, corporations and institutions to join us at the upcoming CCA Alberta International Business Forum which is by the way an excellent opportunity to increase your network in the Americas and to celebrate the XXV Anniversary of our organization.
For registration and more information visit www.cca-alberta.com.
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