Why Trade Matters
Trade and the Canadian Economy
Sharing Canadian Talent With the World
Stories of the Week - April 7, 2003 :
From our expertise in immigration law, project management and life insurance to the talent of our fashion models, Canadians have a great deal to offer to the world.
As we move closer to reducing trade barriers through the General Agreement on Trade in Services, we are moving closer to providing opportunities for Canadian companies. Improved access to foreign markets will mean that companies that provide services to Canadians will be able to follow the lead of the ones featured this week and export their services to the world. Opening up the world to Canadian know-how will lead to more jobs and better incomes for Canadians.
To demonstrate the importance of these negotiations and the role of services in Canada's economy, success stories involving the services sector are being showcased this week.
Stories of the Week - April 7, 2003
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Specialists in Immigration Law
Brownstein, Brownstein & Associates, Montreal, Quebec
Since 1985, Brownstein, Brownstein & Associates has specialized in international business collaboration, delivering immigration law expertise to Canadian businesses and investors doing business in overseas markets. The Montreal-based firm advises its clients on import/export matters, business collaboration and technology transfer agreements, and helps with the relocation of employees around the world.
Brownstein, Brownstein & Associates participates regularly in Team Canada trade missions. "In fact, we've been on every trade mission since they started in 1996," says Mitchell Brownstein, Managing Partner. "The advantages of participating are tremendous. For example, we often have the opportunity to meet—in one room—representatives of all of a country's major law firms. On our own it would take us at least a month to establish the contacts we make in only three or four days per city with Team Canada." Being part of the high-profile delegation has proven to be an economical way to conduct business abroad. As well, it has opened many doors for the firm by increasing its credibility in the eyes of potential partners. "We get to meet some people in the host countries that we never could otherwise," adds Brownstein.
With offices and/or representatives in many countries worldwide, Brownstein, Brownstein & Associates employs legal experts from China, India, Iran, Morocco, Tunisia and Eastern Europe in addition to its team of partners.
Training Firefighters in Mexico
Pluralité Groupe International, Quebec City, Quebec
Following two catastrophes in the 1980s—the San Juan Ixhuatepec fire and a major earthquake—the State of Mexico knew it had to strengthen its emergency services in order to protect the population. There were not enough firefighters and equipment to serve the needs of the affected communities. As part of an overall plan, the state decided to develop a training centre for firefighters.
With financial support from CIDA-INC, Pluralité Groupe International was retained to conduct a thorough needs analysis. The Quebec City company presented the Mexican government with a plan for developing the training centre, including the infrastructure, equipment, organizational structure, human resources, training program and project financing. In the years following the original study, Pluralité secured a number of spinoff contracts to provide equipment and services to the training centre and to several Mexican municipalities. Training was delivered in firefighting techniques, rescue techniques, cave-ins and floods, hazardous materials, forest fires and physical fitness. Other Canadian companies also benefited from these contracts, supplying fire trucks, clothing and firefighting equipment.
Today, the Instituto de Protección Civil del Estado de México—operated by the Emergency Services Department of the State of Mexico—prepares firefighters to save lives and reduce losses when disaster strikes.
Canadian Financial Services Expertise in India
Sun Life Financial Services of Canada Inc., Toronto, Ontario
Sun Life Financial Services of Canada Inc. and its joint venture partner, the Aditya Birla Group, are marking the third year of Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited's operations in India.
Birla Sun Life Insurance is an extension of Sun Life Financial's financial services joint venture with the Aditya Birla Group. Launched in March 2001, it currently operates 22 branch offices in 16 cities with a direct sales force of nearly 5,000 advisers. Birla Mutual Funds, managed by Birla Sun Life Asset Management since 1999, is one of the largest mutual fund companies in India, measured by assets under management.
Sun Life Financial's experience in India is a great example of the growing international reach of Canada's leading financial services players. "This has proven to be a successful partnership and is, in large measure, due to the strong commitment of and spirit of cooperation between our two companies," said Donald A. Stewart, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain committed to expanding our partnership with the Aditya Birla Group and increasing our presence in the Indian marketplace."
Sun Life Financial traces its roots back to 1871. Today, it and its partners have operations in key markets worldwide, including Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Saskatchewan Talent in Asia
The Edge Models & Talent Management, Regina, Saskatchewan
Models from Regina-based The Edge Models & Talent Management are appearing on fashion runways and in magazines the world over.
The only business of its kind in Saskatchewan, The Edge has been representing Canadian and international talent for nine years. Although small in size, the agency has found work for its models in fashion capitals such as New York, Milan, Paris, London and Tokyo and with magazines such as Vogue, Harpers' Bazaar, Elle, Seventeen and Flare.
In 1997, owner and director Lisa Marie Schwartz—who already had long-standing clients in Japan and Korea—was able to expand into the Philippines and Thailand as a result of her participation in the Team Canada trade mission to Southeast Asia. "As an agent, it's important for me to visit the places I'm going to be sending my models, and to meet with clients," says Schwartz. "I had not sat down with my clients one on one before; the trade mission was a great opportunity to do that. It also created many new prospects for us." In addition, seminars offered in each country provided what Schwartz considers valuable in-depth information on cultural and business practices. "For anyone doing business internationally, it's so important to understand the different protocols of each country."
As a result of the trade mission, The Edge has placed models in Bangkok and continues to obtain work for its models in fashion magazines and television commercials through agencies in Seoul and Manila. There are currently about a dozen Edge models working in Asia.
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