(No. 73 - February 22, 2010 – 1 p.m. ET) Canada’s competitive advantages and economic strengths will take to the podium today when the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade, hosts foreign CEOs and potential investors at the Global Business Leaders Day in Vancouver.
“The Global Business Leaders Day will provide a unique opportunity to showcase Canada’s commercial strengths and investment advantages to foreign investors,” said Minister Van Loan. “Canada is a modern and innovative business destination, and we want CEOs from around the world to look here for exciting new business opportunities.”
Bringing together top investment prospects from around the world, the Global Business Leaders Day includes keynote speakers and panellists who will share their views on Canada’s innovative and competitive advantages.
Invitees and keynote speakers include the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, Mohamed El-Erian, CEO and Co-CIO of PIMCO, and Richard Florida, author and professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.
“Canada is positioned for success and growth with the many advantages it offers executives from around the world, including a very favourable business climate and a skilled workforce,” said Howard Donaldson, Vice-President, Studio Operations at Disney Interactive Studios. “Today’s event will provide a great opportunity to discuss winning business development strategies and innovative ideas for the future as the global economy is poised for recovery.”
The Global Business Leaders Day is part of the Government of Canada’s comprehensive investment outreach strategy during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games to promote Canada’s many competitive advantages, which include the following:
- Lowest taxes on new business investment in the G7 in 2010;
- Lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7;
- Fastest economic growth in the G7 for 2011 according to the International Monetary Fund;
- World’s soundest banking system according to the World Economic Forum;
- High quality of life.
“Canada has a very open and business-friendly environment that gives foreign investors the competitive edge they are looking for,” said Minister Van Loan. “Our efforts to attract foreign investment, coupled with our aggressive trade agenda, directly benefit Canadian citizens by creating jobs, raising incomes and strengthening Canada’s competitive position.”
The Government of Canada’s investment outreach activities will carry on well after the 2010 Winter Games, through its network of embassies and offices abroad, and at high-level international events taking place in Canada in 2010. A series of outreach tools, including the video Canada is taking care of business, fact sheets and success stories that highlight Canada’s enviable quality of life and talented and highly qualified workforce, will continue to entice investors to seriously consider doing business in Canada.
Visit the Invest in Canada website to find multilingual, comprehensive information on Canada’s many investment and business advantages.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Monika Bujalska
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade
613-992-9304
Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
