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Canada and the Commonwealth – strong economic
partners
 Source:
conference notes, Bridgewater State College, and NBEDC
staff
The New Bedford Economic Development Council
participated in the “Trade, Tourism, and the Border”
conference held at the Shaw’s Center in Brockton, Mass.
on October 25, 2006. The event was sponsored by the New
England-Canada Business Council, the Canadian Consulate
General of Boston and Bridgewater State College
The conference examined the key economic relationships
that are formed and growing between U.S. and Canadian
companies, and their respective governments. The
economic connections range from trade and investment
between the two countries, to travel and tourism.
The topic is important for tourism, business and
political leaders in Massachusetts to consider,
especially in light of new rules regarding entry to the
United States that will take effect in 2007.
Keynote speakers at the event were former Massachusetts
Governor and former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Paul
Cellucci and Canadian Consul General to New England Neil
Le Blanc.
Canada and the United States enjoy an economic
partnership unique in the contemporary world. The two
nations share the world’s largest and most comprehensive
trading relationship, which supports millions of jobs in
each country.
Since the implementation of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade
Agreement in 1989, two-way trade has tripled. Under
NAFTA, growth in bilateral trade between Canada and the
U.S. has averaged almost 6 percent annually over the
last decade. Today, bilateral trade accounts for more
than $680 billion, with more than $1.8 billion worth of
goods and services crossing the border every single day.
The discussion revolved around the current state of
trade between the U.S. and Canada and the role that
NAFTA has played in the global economy.
Governor Cellucci and Mr. Le Blanc both examined the
business connections between the Commonwealth and
Canada, and agreed a continued mutual relationship is
beneficial to both areas. Canadian tourists visit
Massachusetts each year more than anywhere else, making
approximately 450,000 trips and spending $150 million in
the commonwealth. More Massachusetts exports are bound
for Canada than any other country in the world. Two-way
trade between Canada and Massachusetts exceeds more than
$10 billion annually.
Consul General LeBlanc sees the ties between the U.S.
and Canada becoming stronger and encourages a continued
dialogue between the New England states and Canada.
The New England-Canada Business Council, Inc. (NECBC)
was formed in 1981 to bring together businesses and
individuals with an interest in the relationship and,
more specifically, New England-Canada political,
business and cultural issues. Today, the Council's
membership is composed of business leaders from a wide
range of sectors including banking, law, consulting,
energy, and high technology, as well as government and
academic officials and individuals with links to Canada.
Membership in the NECBC is open to all with an interest
in stimulating the growth of New England-Canada ties.
http://www.necbc.org |
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