News
The Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) has just released a study that could easily be taken up by chambers of commerce across the country. The study takes stock of the situation and sets out a dozen strategic considerations concerning the strengths and vulnerabilities of the manufacturing sector in the face of the challenges and opportunities posed by the proliferation of subsidies and protectionist measures, particularly in the United States, but also in Europe.
The manufacturers involved in the “Well Made Here” program all have in common, with a few exceptions, that they also aim to sell their products beyond Canada’s borders. While displaying the “Well Made Here” logo may be attractive, a certificate of origin is formally required to do business abroad. This article from EDC demystifies the steps to take to obtain and retain one, in clear terms.
The summer will be an ideal time for the “Well Made Here” team to explore avenues of collaboration, and even a partnership, with the federal government. The first meetings with grant program administrators and ministerial officials bode well: their ears are open and our purpose is appreciated. The ball is in our court, therefore two initiatives will be proposed to participating businesses next week.
In order to protect the competitiveness of Canadian businesses and respond to the growing volume of electronic commerce, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is proposing amendments to the Valuation for Duty Regulations that will strengthen the legislative and regulatory frameworks to help Canadian importers compete on a level playing field with foreign-based importers and address the loss of customs revenue to the government.
Thanks to a partnership with EVO Canada, businesses taking part in the “Well Made Here” program now have the opportunity to reduce the fees charged by Visa and MasterCard on every transaction made by their customers by thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars a year.