Doing Business in the USA and Canada

Event: Tuesday 16 March, 2010, 9.30am - 1pm
Venue: World Trade Centre Hull & Humber

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The established export markets of the USA and Canada offer huge opportunities for UK companies in many sectors, with British products and services being perceived as very high quality. With a shared history and culture and strong underlying relationships, the UK is often seen in a favourable light by most business people and consumers.

Delegates had the opportunity to find out opportunities in the USA & Canada and how to get started.

At the event delegates heard from:

Anthony Russo of Trade Hub International from the States who spoke about how his business is able to help UK companies. Mr Russo’s career includes a major involvement with the World Trade Centre Network.

Sean Gilligan, director of the British American Business Council (BABC) and managing director of WebAnywhere, provided a real insight into methods of trading with the USA as well as sharing his own experiences of business there. The BABC provides direct access to business leaders throughout North America and the UK.

Geoff Green from Pegasus Global Initiatives talked about his experience of the Canadian market.

Nancy Apcar, will bring her expertise to the Humber speaking on behalf of the Canada UK Chamber of Commerce.

World Trade Centre Hull & Humber partners were on hand with practical support, including UK Trade & Investment, Language is Everything, legal experts Andrew Jackson and tax and financial advisors.

Further information

USA

The USA is Britain’s largest single export market, taking $57b of UK goods in 2007 and also the leading overseas destination for British investment. The UK is the sixth biggest exporter to the US, after Canada, Mexico, Japan, China and Germany. The US economy is integrated and largely self-contained, with every major industry represented. US manufacturers often source components overseas and UK goods have traditionally enjoyed a good reputation for quality in the USA. With the exception of few import quotas and some strategic industry ownership restrictions, there are no limitations on foreign firms seeking to do business in the US. Although the country offers opportunities for traders in virtually any industry, there are certain sectors that claim the top exports. These are:

• Machinery and transport equipment
• Miscellaneous manufactured articles
• Chemical products
• Mineral fuels and lubricants
• Beverages and tobacco

Canada

The UK is Canada’s primary European trading partner and Canada is the UK’s 16th largest market, with exports reaching £3.25bn in 2008. The UK is the second largest foreign direct investor in Canada after the US. The market is very receptive to UK goods and services and 700 British companies already operate there. With low inflation and business costs and steady economic growth, Canada offers good trade and investment opportunities for British companies in many sectors:

• Oil and related products
• Automotive Energy and power
• Creative and media
• Aerospace
• Pharmaceuticals
• Organic chemicals
• Healthcare
• Advanced engineering
• Information technology
• Biotechnology
• Financial services
• Defence and security

The UK is Canada’s second largest partner worldwide in the science and technology sector, with a particularly close relationship in the field of clinical research.