(May 29, 2007) California Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, members of the press and a diverse business delegation departed today for a three-day trade mission to Canada to promote California products, services and tourist destinations.
“Canada is now the second largest customer for California's exports, with a total dollar value of $14.2 billion in 2006. Two-way trade with Canada supports an estimated 832,000 jobs in California,” said Susanne Stirling, CalChamber vice president of international affairs. “With a population and economy larger than Canada, California is unquestionably a major market for Canadian manufactured goods, energy, forest and agri-food products and a wide range of services.”
Highlights of the trade mission include briefings by U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins and consular staff, and remarks from the premiers of Ontario and British Columbia at Canadian business networking lunches.
Canada-California trade has grown steadily since the 1970s, accelerating with enactment of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement in 1989, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994.
The Bay Area Economic Forum (BAEF) recently compiled a comprehensive study on the economic importance of the Canada-California partnership. The study highlights opportunities for strengthening and expanding Canada-California collaboration in the science and technology, agriculture, tourism and energy.
According to the BAEF study, Canada is one of California's largest tourism sources, sending more visitors to California than any other country except Mexico. Just over one million Canadians traveled to and through California in 2005, contributing $710 million to the state economy in travel-related spending. Canadian tourism generates $27 million in California state tax revenue and supports more than 7,000 California jobs.
The business and trade mission arrived in Toronto yesterday, and will travel to Vancouver on May 30. The mission will depart Vancouver on May 31.
Staff Contact: Susanne Stirling