October 20, 2002
NORTHEAST EXPORT DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE: This project is managed by The Venture Centre/Le Centre de développement on behalf of a partnership of 6 Northeastern Community Futures Development Corporations. The partnership includes: Nord-Aski (Hearst); North Claybelt Community and Business Development Corp. (Kapuskasing); The Venture Centre/Le Centre de développement (Timmins); Kirkland and District Community Business Centre; South Temiskaming Community Futures Corp. (Haileybury); and Wakenagun (Moosonee).
The project employs one individual for a period of one year, commencing April 1, 2001 to provide export readiness evaluation, preparation and training to small and medium enterprises in the Northeast region of Ontario (Haileybury to Hearst to Moosonee)
The project will:
- Increase the number of jobs in the region
- Stimulate economic growth through the development of export (increased sales and production, increased staff)
- Increase awareness in the business sector of export potential
- Human resource development through training and upgrading necessary to meet demands of export marketing
Increasing export activity is beneficial to the economy and creates jobs. In the late 1990s, “the increased trade activity and more specifically, the growth in net exports fuelled economic prosperity and job creation in Canada. Rising net exports directly accounted for 15 percent of economic growth and 10 percent of net job creation in Canada between 1990 and 1997 – a contribution of close to 80 000 new jobs nationally. (Source: http://exportsource.gc.ca)
Frontenac Leeds and Grenville, a Community Futures Corporation operating an Export Development Initiative (EDI) in the Kingston Ontario area, reported that after only 6 months of operation, their Export program resulted in the creation of 9 new jobs and more than $1,000,000 in new export sales. Tom Russell - 1000 Islands CDC
The Northeastern Community Futures Partners recognize the value of a strong export economy and will use the Export Development Initiative to enhance export in the Northeast. Through partnership with HRDC and FedNor, and in co-operation with our local business service partners, this project will revitalize the business and industry sector in the whole region.
NEED FOR EXPORT DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHEAST
While a strong network of business service agencies works effectively within the region, there is a gap in export development support in the Northeast region. This means limited assistance for businesses interested in expanding and diversifying their market through exporting. Some assistance is offered through MNDM and IRAP; however, the steering committee believes that it is the LOCAL PRESENCE of a dedicated Export Counsellor that will have a serious impact on the development of export in the region. An Export Counsellor will also promote the development of human resources within businesses. Training and upgrading of existing workers, and or hiring of new employees will be necessary to gain the in-house skills and expertise businesses will need to access export markets. The Export Counsellor will facilitate this process for regional businesses and assist them in accessing appropriate training.
Businesses in the Northeast are not exposed to the variety of export resource services that businesses in southern Ontario take advantage of. The Export Development Corporation, (EDC), for example, an Industry Canada initiative promoting international trade, is based in Toronto and makes infrequent trips to Northern Ontario. A recent EDC presentation in Timmins was attended by the business service sector, but private business people did not attend. This may speak to the level of interest in exporting on the part of the local business sector, but it more probably reflects the lack of awareness of export potential and the need for individual contact and one-on-one attention to business owners by an export consultant.
On-line export development services are also available but the entrepreneur, busy sustaining his/her day to day operations, may not take the time to navigate the complex corridors of export related self-help websites.
With dedicated staff in place, businesses will benefit from the expertise available in their own community and the many resources available on the internet and through export programs will be made more relevant and immediate with the guidance of an export mentor.