PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2023
Contact: Stacey Sikes, Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications
Long Island Association (LIA) Manufacturing & Trade Committee Hosts Discussion on “Doing Business with Canada” in Partnership with the MAPLE Business Council and Consulate General of Canada in New York
Melville, NY – Today, the LIA’s Manufacturing & Trade Committee, which supports regional companies that seek to enter international markets, held an event for businesses on Long Island who are interested in expanding their markets and relationships with Canada.
Canada is the largest export market for businesses operating in the United States and on Long Island and is the initial point of international expansion for many businesses due to its ease of entry. Experts in trade finance, logistics, and a representative from the Canadian government discussed opportunities in the Canadian market and support available for companies to engage there.
Matt Cohen, LIA President & CEO, said, “Fostering international export relationships is a lucrative option for businesses on Long Island to grow and expand. The United States and Canada share the largest contiguous international border and have a long history of friendly diplomatic relations, making the country a logical choice for companies who are navigating international trade for the first time. I want to thank the experts for providing guidance to Long Island businesses, including LIA Board Member John Costanzo and the government of Canada for their partnership.”
This event was held in collaboration with the MAPLE Business Council, a not-for-profit that fosters trade relationships between U.S. and Canada, and the Canadian Consulate General of Canada in New York, part of the government of Canada.
John Costanzo, LIA Manufacturing & Trade Chair and Executive Director of the MAPLE Business Council New York Chapter, moderated the discussion. He said, “For small to mid-sized businesses and larger companies located on Long Island that haven’t yet expanded outside of the U.S., Canada offers an excellent opportunity to expand to a market with a consumer population the size of California. Moreover, the USMCA trade agreement has created a very favorable business environment for U.S. based companies”.
The panelists offered their own experiences with exporting, how to finance an expansion with international trade, including TD Bank’s Global Trade Finance Solutions, freight transportation across the border, and the role of the Consulate General of Canada in supporting relationships between the U.S. and Canada.
Robert McCubbing, Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Canada in New York said, “The trade relationship between Canada and the United States is critical for the growth of both of our economies. For example, exports from Nassau and Suffolk Counties alone to Canada are valued at nearly $1.5 billion annually. Trade is projected to continue to grow in innovative sectors, and we are here to support Long Island companies at they explore investment in to Canada.”
The panelists also included Andrea Ratay, Head of Global Trade Finance – TD Bank, and Chair of the NY District Export Council, and Frank Jacketti, Director of U.S. Districts for Purolator International.
About the Long Island Association
The Long Island Association (LIA) is the region’s leading non-profit and non-partisan business organization since 1926 and amplifies the voice of the business community. The LIA works to ensure the region’s economic vitality - Long Island’s future is our business. www.longislandassociation.org
About MAPLE Business Council
The MAPLE Business Council® was founded in 2015 by two Canadian ex-pats living in Southern California. Since its inception MAPLE has opened chapters in Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Toronto, and Colorado. Its primary mission is to promote bilateral economic ties between the U.S. and Canada through trade, investment, and innovation, and it accomplished this by hosting events across it’s 5 North American chapters and through content provided on its website and its Monthly Newsletter (Momentum®) and social media channels.
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Stacey Sikes VP Government Affairs & Communications
- November 09, 2023
- (631) 493-3000
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