HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-13-029 - CTT Foreign Multi-National Aftercare German-Dutch Mission
REPORT TO:Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
September 9, 2013
SUBMITTED BY: Rod Regier, Executive Director Economic Development
(519-741-2200 ext 7506)
PREPARED BY:
Brian Bennett, Manager Business Development
(519-741-2200 ext 7230)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: August 28, 2013
REPORT NO.: CAO–13–029
SUBJECT:
CTT Foreign Multi-National Aftercare German/Dutch Mission
RECOMMENDATION:
That in accordance with Council Policy II-35 (Conference, Seminar and Meeting Attendance and
Expenses), participation of Brian Bennett, Manager Business Development, Economic
Development, in the CTT Foreign Multi-National Aftercare German and Dutch Mission being
held in Germany and the Netherlands, October 2013, be approved.
BACKGROUND:
Canada’s Technology Triangle is the Waterloo Region’s international business development
body, representing the Waterloo Region abroad to companies and professionals who are
interested in investing in Canada and the North American market. The City of Kitchener is a
funding and strategic partner of CTT and works closely with CTT to attract and retain foreign
investment in the Waterloo Region.
CTT has established a foreign mission program with Mayor Zehr leading a business
development delegation to Germany and the Netherlands in October 2013. The purpose of the
mission is to continue building relationships that lead to increased foreign direct investment in
the Waterloo Region, introduce Waterloo Region based companies to foreign markets, and
strengthen relationships with foreign multi-national corporations that operate in the Waterloo
Region.
Council policy II-35 (Conference, Seminar and Meeting Attendance and Expenses) requires
Council’s approval for a member of staff to attend a conference/trade mission outside of Canada
and the United States.
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REPORT:
In October 2013, CTT has established a mission to Germany and the Netherlands to visit the
headquarters of German and Dutch multi-national companies which operate in the Waterloo
Region. Firms representing manufacturing, food, clean technology, nanotechnology, and
information technology will be visited. Many of these firms are doing well and have the potential
for expansion, while the financial situation and the persistence of weakness in the European
economy could signal a need for concern about the future of some of these operations. At the
same time, some of our Foreign Multinational Firms have opportunities to expand operations
and increase employment.
To prepare for the mission a series of meetings are being held with the local office of each of
the Companies. These meetings identify challenges and opportunities facing each of the
companies and set the stage for the meeting with their European leaders.
The proposed outcomes of the mission include improved relations between the German and
Dutch owned companies and the regional economic development stakeholders, as well as the
identification of potential challenges and opportunities for growth of the foreign owned firm. Over
the long term, this type of communication between our region and foreign owned firms should
result in increased stability and potential growth of those companies in our area.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Support to Canada’s Technology Triangle is identified as a priority in the Kitchener Economic
Development Strategy and has been identified in the Economic Development Division’s
Business Plan for 2013.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The estimated cost for this mission is $5,000. Funds for this mission are included in the 2013
Economic Development budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Economic development stakeholders were extensively consulted in the formulation of KEDS.II.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, CAO
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