HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-15-014 - CTT Foreign Multi-National German and Dutch Mission Staff Report
KjTC'H _Ni-, CA0 Office www.kitchener ca
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 30, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Rod Regier, Executive Director of 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: March 10, 2015
REPORT NO.: CAO-15-014
SUBJECT: CTT Foreign Multi-National 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, April 2015, 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 Vrbanovic leading a business development
delegation to the Netherlands and Germany in April 2015. The purpose of the mission is to continue
building relationships that lead to increased foreign direct investment in the Waterloo Region, while
enhancing and growing our relationship with Eindhoven Netherlands, 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.
***This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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REPORT:
In April 2015, CTT has established a mission to the Netherlands and Germany, to visit the
headquarters of German and Dutch multi-national companies which operate in the Waterloo Region,
and prospective investors.
During the 2013 trade mission CTT and the participating municipalities established a relationship with
Brainport the economic development organization of Eindhoven, Netherlands, to collaborate around
talent, research and lead generation. The Region of Waterloo and Eindhoven share many similarities,
including a focus on innovation, technology, automotive, advanced manufacturing, and research and
development.
To prepare for the mission a series of meetings are being held with the local office of each of the
Companies to be visited. These meetings provide a current overview of the Company's business
operations, potential for expansion and set the stage for the meeting with their European leaders.
The proposed outcomes of the mission include improved relations between existing German and Dutch
owned companies and prospects, and the regional economic development stakeholders, as well as the
identification of potential opportunities for growth of our foreign owned firms. This should position us
favourably in advance of the Canada/European Union Trade Agreement expected to be implemented in
2017.
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 2015.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The estimated cost for this mission is $3,500. Funds for this mission are included in the 2015 Economic
Development budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Economic development stakeholders were extensively consulted in the formulation of KEDS.II.
INFORM —This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council/
committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, CAO
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