Regional trade program cancelled

FedNor has withdrawn funding support for regional trade and export advisory program, Trade Northern Ontario.

In an e-mail circulated last week to northeastern Ontario mining suppliers, Eric Maag, the program's Sudbury-Timmins-Far Northeast trade advisor, said the federally-funded trade and export program closes Aug. 15.

This is the third time in less than a decade, FedNor has scuttled funding for a regional export development program. The last time was in April 2006, when FedNor disbanded its Team Northern Ontario program and laid off its trade advisors, opting for a new program to market the region to the world.

In his e-mail, Maag said there remains need for this type of program which helps encourage and facilitate the development of trade and export capacity in small to mid-sized enterprises (SME's)

“It is a shame for the economic development of the North that a program as relevant as Trade Northern Ontario is no longer. It is a greater shame for Northern SME's that relied upon our service as a valued resource for their growth and development.”

In an e-mailed response, FedNor spokesman Peter Williams said FedNor's one-year contribution agreement with the Northwestern Ontario Development Network-- the program's administrator – ends August. 15.

“FedNor is looking into various models to respond to the needs of Northern Ontario SME's interest in trade activities. Our goal is to increase exports from Northern Ontario.”

Maag was one of four trade advisors that were based in Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. Their mandate was to assist businesses expand by focusing on international trade by helping new and existing exporters find new markets. The group also organized and hosted inbound and outbound international trade missions.

There is no word from FedNor on any kind of replacement program.

Williams said any businesses interested in the fields of export and trade should contact FedNor 1-877-333-6673.