TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear a presentation from the Canada Arizona Business Council, an organization sanctioned to increase bilateral trade and foreign direct investment between Canada and Arizona.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
“The Canada Arizona Business Council was formed to promote a single mandate: To increase bilateral trade between Canada and Arizona to $5 billion U.S. by 2014. The CABC brings together senior players in every industry on both sides of the border.” There “networking capability assures “1 degree of separation” from the decision makers in any field. These business leaders are the CEOs, Presidents, entrepreneurs, and professionals who will achieve that 5 billion dollar trade number”.
Bilateral trade with Canada has increased to 3.9 billion dollars annually, excluding tourism. Canada is the largest foreign investor in the State of Arizona. A vibrant new trade paradigm has emerged eclipsing the traditional markets of tourism and agriculture. The total Canadian footprint in Arizona in 2012 was larger than 6 billion dollars and growing, with more than 872,000 Canadians visiting in 2012.
As a by invitation only membership based organization, the Canada Arizona Business Council provides several different membership levels and commensurate benefits to each investment level.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council receive this presentation and ask any applicable questions.