Small and medium-sized businesses have the ability to compete internationally, and the province can help them open the doors to the world.
That was the message from International and Intergovernmental Relations Minister Cal Dallas at a presentation at the St. Albert Inn and Suites on Monday morning. The talk was part of a seven-stop market access tour Dallas is taking to inform entrepreneurs, members of economic development and local chambers of commerce on what is available to businesses if they decide to export.
“Alberta is a land of opportunity and sure we are blessed with this wealth of resources but more importantly we all recognize that it’s the people power that we are really rich in,” he said.
Dallas said most people think of oil and gas as Alberta’s primary export markets but recent years have shown that the province is capable of far more. In 2012, Alberta exported $95 billion worth of goods, he said. Besides energy, the top five exported goods are agriculture, chemicals, manufacturing, forestry and tourism.
While the United States is an obvious trading partner, Dallas said other emerging markets such as Asia and the European Union will be key drivers to the province’s prosperity. Alberta’s success is tied to its ability to access these markets, market its products and services, and attract foreign investment in return, he said.
“Alberta has a reputation as a reliable, responsible trading partner with high standards and a workforce that is second to none,” he said. “As the world becomes more globalized the competition for trade and investment opportunities as well as access to those international markets becomes even more intense.”
As part of the presentation, Jason Krips, assistant deputy minister in Dallas’ ministry told the 15 businesses in the room that the province has 10 offices across the globe – six of them located in Asia, two in Europe, one in Washington, D.C. and another in Mexico City. Another six offices will open in the next few years.
These offices are available to businesses in opening doors, building relationships and creating knowledge, he said. Businesses can utilize their services by participating in outreach tours, or to get in touch with potential investors.
The ministry is also working closely with other government sectors and ministries – such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada and the Canadian Tourism Commission – to provide businesses with the best expertise in their specific field, he said. Other committees such as the Asian Advisor Council can assist with various sets of expertise to help entrepreneurs learn about difficult markets, such as Asia.
“Though it takes time, it takes nurturing and the Asian culture in particular … if you establish that long term friendship it certainly opens doors,” he said.
Dallas added that he encourages businesses to contact the ministry directly. But the success of Alberta’s export strategy also depends on the work of municipalities, their chamber of commerce and economic development team to create a sense of awareness among local businesses about available opportunities, said Dallas.
“The work on the ground that’s happening with the small businesses, you, by the very nature of it, have to be better connected than we are,” he said.
Dawn Fedorvich, marketing specialist with St. Albert economic development, said the team hosted the market access tour to gauge the interest of local businesses in marketing abroad. Economic development was adding a renewed focus on seeing existing businesses succeed and grow, she said.
While entrepreneurs need to contact them if their goal is to export, businesses can meet with economic development for advice or to work on a business plan, she said.
“So if they are thinking China, or the U.S., or just sell online, there are lots of different things they need to be aware of so we can help them work through a business plan to make sure they are prepared,” she said.
Mariela Wilhelm, CEO of Uchi Ltd., a local company that carries ponchos and baby carriers, said she was not aware that local and governmental services were available to help her grow her business and market abroad. She is looking to export her product into the United States and the United Arab Emirates and said most of her research was done online or with the help of other entrepreneurs.
“I just figured let's do this and set up manufacturing on my own … it helps to know that there is a big department with someone who can help me,” she said.
Representing his local consumer electronics start-up business Zenovia Electronics Inc., vice president of operations Bernard Johnson said the company was just getting ready to enter the market but hopes to export to the United States.
He said Zenovia has made contacts with Canadian government agencies but was not aware that help was available from the province. In this day and age, he said many businesses get their information online but sometimes research time is limited if you are a start-up.
“If we can get more specific or probably focused attention … that would be great,” he said.
Dallas said Alberta faces significant challenges compared to other provinces, among them being a landlocked province. It was even more important then that local organizations, businesses and the government cooperate on objectives, strategies and action plans to bring their product to the global market.
Building and nurturing relationships in strategic markets abroad will sustain the lifestyle and expectations of Albertans, he said. This will not only create more economic opportunities, jobs and revenues, he said, but also help the province and businesses get higher prices for their goods.
“We can no longer rely on trade with the rest of Canada and the United States,” he said. “As our global dynamics change, new economic opportunities open up all the time. As a result it is imperative that we showcase Alberta's strength oversees.”
