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Create Global Business Connections

Calgary companies have achieved international acclaim as global leaders in innovation. Calgary Economic Development (CED) aims to spread this message through business missions in key centres around the world.

Calgary Economic Development is planning a number of trade initiatives in 2007. If you see a fit between these strategic destinations and the work your business does - or wants to do - we invite you to join us on these important trips.

International Business Missions brought Calgary closer to the world
In February, Calgary delegates returned to the city with development tips, new business connections and strengthened international relations.

As part of Calgary Economic Development’s international strategy, these trips raised awareness of Calgary, and by extension Canada, through the building of new relationships for Calgary businesses.

These trips were planned to:

• Connect Calgary businesses to selected global businesses
• Support Calgary companies in their development in foreign markets
• Encourage international flight connections to Calgary
• Learn best practices from other global cities experiencing similar growth

Three separate business mission trips took place to Europe, China, and the Middle East during the week of February 12-20th, 2007. Over these eight days, CED had more than 40 meetings with key business leaders and government officials and three main events where Calgary’s message was delivered to over 200 organizations.

Dubai
Dubai and Calgary share many similarities. They have both experienced rapid growth over the past five years. Each city has also made it a priority to diversify their economies to create and strengthen growth. Mayor Dave Bronconnier, Calgary Economic Development and The Calgary Airport Authority took part in this trade mission which met four main objectives:

• Encouraged direct flight connections between Dubai and Calgary.
• Follow up visit to Dubai investors who came to Calgary this past November. These investors are interested in bringing a different perspective to real estate in Calgary.
• Organized business and government meetings to learn from Dubai how to improve efficiencies in a high growth market.
• Explored potential for bilateral relationships.

Six Calgary companies participated in this trade mission to Dubai: Marquis Developments, Torode Commercial, Intergulf Cidex, Smart Camera Technologies, Octane Ventures, Riddell Kurczaba.

A day-trip was also taken to Dammam, Saudi Arabia by Mayor Dave Bronconnier and Calgary Economic Development. This important visit strengthened Calgary’s relationships with key international companies who have ties to both Calgary and the Middle East.

UK
The UK business connections trip included Calgary Economic Development and seven Calgary companies interested in exploring business opportunities in the UK. Meetings were held with government officials and business leaders in London, England and Aberdeen, Scotland. Events included a keynote address at the London High Commission by Clive Mather, president & CEO, Shell Canada Limited. Mather discussed the opportunities that are available in Calgary as Canada’s new growth engine.

“This mission profiled Calgary in the financial and energy hubs of the UK,” says Clark Grue, vice president of investment and trade development for Calgary Economic Development. “The UK is Canada’s number two trading partner – we wanted to capitalize on that. Doing business in the UK is a natural fit for Calgary companies because of our similarities. We share similar business customs, the same language and are both a part of the commonwealth.”

Interested UK mission participants also made a stopover in Norway. This portion of the trip opened doors to new markets for Calgary companies to explore and create new business relationships.
 
China
Direct air service to Calgary from Mainland China is a closer possibility than ever before. Recent meetings in Beijing with China officials and senior Air China executives strengthened a bid by the Calgary Airport Authority, leading to Calgary being short listed for a direct flight. Other cities on the shortlist include Toronto, Chicago and Washington D.C.

Mayor Dave Bronconnier, Calgary Economic Development and The Calgary Airport Authority took part in this business connections trip. The goal of this trip was to strengthen linkages to China; first by air and secondly by increasing Chinese financial institution presence in Calgary.

Over the three day period, the delegation held meetings with various business leaders in opportunity sectors such as Air, Energy, Wireless Technology, Finance and Business Services and other emerging markets. These meetings, held in Beijing and Tianjin, have strengthened new and existing business connections in two of China’s most important cities. Tianjin is becoming recognized as a new emerging market.