SEUS-CP, as the event is known, runs Sunday through Tuesday and features networking opportunities, business-to-business meetings and panel discussions on topics including supply chain resiliency, sustainable agriculture and electric vehicle adoption.
Secretary Canfield said the conference represents a platform that allows representatives from the six Southeastern states and six Canadian provinces to build bonds that can lead to new commercial and cultural possibilities.
“Over many decades, we have built a partnership that relies on respect, discovers meaningful pathways to collaborate, fosters innovative solutions and advances common goals,” he said.
Commerce Sec. Greg Canfield is leading an Alabama delegation to the 2022 SEUS-CP Conference. Canada is one of the state's top international trade partners.
“This is a special relationship, and its benefits are self-evident — working closely together, we have driven economic growth, sparked job creation and generated new opportunities.”
ECONOMIC BONDS
For Alabama, the relationship is rewarding. Canada ranks as a Top 5 foreign investor in the state, as well as a major trade partner. Alabama is home to over 80 Canadian companies, located in areas across the state.
Since 2015, Canadian companies have invested almost $1.5 billion into Alabama ventures, creating over 2,300 jobs, according to Alabama Department of Commerce data.
Meanwhile, Canada is Alabama’s second largest export market, with shipments valued at $3.5 billion in 2021, a figure that jumped 18% from the prior year. Alabama is also a top U.S. destination for goods from Canada, with imports topping $3 billion last year.
Christina Stimpson, director of the Office of International Trade at Commerce, said Alabama is fortunate to be a part of an association that facilitates relationship-building between the state and Canada.
“Canada is a critically important market for Alabama, and this conference features business matchmaking to encourage trade and business development,” Stimpson said.
“For Alabama exporters and export-capable companies, this is a great conference for market research and making Canadian contacts.”
SEEKING PARTNERSHIPS
Alabama companies represented at the conference include:
- Page & Jones Inc., a shipping logistics firm based in Mobile
- SWJ Technology LLC, a Tuscaloosa firm that provides engineering, planning, and project management services to assist various industries
- Excelsior Staffing, a staffing firm based in Tuscaloosa
- Automation + Controls Engineering (ACE), a Mobile firm offering specialized engineering services to various industries
“We seek partners, suppliers and contacts who share the company’s values and believe this is a fantastic opportunity to develop relationships domestically and with new Canadian partners,” Paden said.
“ACE is proud to be ‘Made-in-Alabama’ and will continue to provide world-class qualitative service to all of its customers.”
The SEUS-CP Alliance was established in 2007 to enhance trade and investment, promote business partnerships, and encourage technological exchanges between the member states and Canadian provinces.
Member states from the Southeast are Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Canadian members are New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.
Source: https://www.madeinalabama.com/2022/06/study-boeings-alabama-economic-impact-reaches-2-7-billion/
Alerts Sign-up