The Discover Canada event will take place at Durham County Cricket Club, Chester-le-street, on Thursday, 11 September, 9.30am-1pm. Places are limited and must be booked in advance. To book your place or to find out more about the wide range of services available through UK Trade and Investment contact the North East Regional International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054 or email enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk. Delegates will also have the opportunity to find out about UK Trade and Investment's next market visit to Canada on 21-28 March 2009 and the wide range of support available to companies to help them succeed overseas.
Ross Cordiner, UK Trade and Investment's Deputy International Trade Director, who will chair the event, said "Canada enjoys low inflation combined with steady economic growth, which make it an excellent trade and investment opportunity. It now ranks second largest in terms of global proven crude oil reserves, with 15 per cent of world reserves, and a key contributor to this is the vast oil sands deposits in the Alberta territory.
"A survey by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) indicates that the Alberta oil sands industry may spend $110 billion on new projects in the four years up to 2011.
"This means opportunities for companies in a wide range of sectors including coatings and heat-treating, engineering and construction, environment technologies, industrial accommodation, industrial machinery, equipment and tanks and services such as consultancy and training.
"Our event provides an ideal opportunity to find out more and talk to our experts from Canada about how to access this lucrative market."
Key speakers at the event will include:
- Duncan de Lugt, Trade Commissioner at the Canadian High Commission who will discuss "Why Canada?"
- Tracey Grindal, UK Trade and Investment Trade Advisor in Canada, who will outline the opportunities in the oil and gas, mining and construction industries
- Paul Rowe, Managing Director of Wessington Cryogenics, who will speak about his company's own experiences of doing business in Canada.
