GHY Tradelines

(Dow Jones Newswires-WSJ)

Canada’s export sector is expected to remain resilient in 2012 in large part due to increased momentum in the U.S. economy, which is set to power global economic growth and offset weakness in Europe and emerging markets, says the country’s export-credit agency.

Export Development Canada, in an update to its fall forecast, said risks still abound – from Europe’s financial strains, which would “scar” global growth, to increased geopolitical turmoil linked to Iran – and, as a result, has downgraded its global outlook. Nevertheless, recent momentum in the U.S. economy looks sustainable and will provide a jolt the global economy needs, said EDC’s chief economist, Peter Hall.

“Our real point is the U.S. is taking the clear lead here, breaking away from what’s happening in other economies,” Hall said in an interview. “The U.S. has the wherewithal to go it alone and charge ahead.”

EDC forecasts global growth to hit 3.7% in 2012, down from its previous forecast of 4.3% issued in October. This is due in large part due to a ratcheting down of growth prospects in Europe, to a meagre 0.4% expansion from its previous call for 1.6% growth. Canada is set to post 2% economic growth, from the original 2.3% projection. Read more here.
 

(Martin Cash – Winnipeg Free Press)

The chatter has already begun from various sectors about how tough it’s going to be get provincial funding for industry initiatives.

But both the federal and provincial governments came forward fairly quickly to provide a total of $1.2 million of financial support to backstop Centrallia 2012, the international business match-making event to be held again this year in Winnipeg in October.

If we can assume there is community-wide support to grow the economic base of the city and province, then the public sector can’t not support something like Centrallia.

It sounds like the same can be said about an initiative to establish a World Trade Centre in Winnipeg. Read more here.
 

(CNN Money)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has halted shipments of imported orange juice from all over the world and will test each one for traces of fungicide.

The decision to test orange juice and orange juice concentrate shipments, which was announced Tuesday, came after an unnamed juice company alerted the FDA last month that it found low levels of the fungicide, carbendazim, in products imported from Brazil.

The FDA said it will examine all container shipments of orange juice that arrive at U.S. ports. The agency will sample contents from multiple parts of each shipment; the subsequent testing could take between five and ten business days.

Shipments that test negative for “detectable levels” of carbendazim will be allowed to enter the country. Read more here.
 

(Bloomberg-Vancouver Sun)

A Berkshire Hathaway Inc. building-materials unit said it voluntarily stopped shipping some flooring products to Canada after discovering the nation doesn’t allow importation of goods made with prison labor.

Shaw Industries Group Inc., based in Dalton, Georgia, learned in December that the hardwood-floor products can’t legally be imported to Canada, according to an e-mailed statement from Scott Sandlin, a company vice president. Shaw contacted Canadian authorities and halted the shipments to the country, he said. Read more here.
 

(Peter Clark – iPolitics)

When Prime Minister Noda announced that Japan intended to join the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, a grim reality set in. Canada knew it needed to be at the table. This was decided even before President Obama invited Prime Minister Harper to join at the APEC Summit last November.

Canada cannot allow Japan, its fourth most important merchandise export market, to become another Korea, with the US inside the tent enjoying discriminatory preferences and eroding Canada’s market position.

Canada exports a lot of resources and raw materials to Japan. It is also an important market for Canada’s farmers and ranchers. In 2010, Japan accounted for 21.6% of Canada’s meat exports. Read more here.
 

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is providing advance notice to Information Technology (IT) suppliers regarding its efforts to put the Action Plan for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness to work for Canada.

The CBSA will post a communique on MERX, Canada’s electronic tendering service, this week as a heads up to IT suppliers to encourage them to familiarize themselves with the details of the Action Plan ( www.borderactionplan.gc.ca ).

“Our Government’s priority is the economy and tomorrow our government is taking concrete steps towards implementing the Border Action Plan,” said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. “We are encouraging small and medium enterprises to get involved. This is an exciting opportunity which will create jobs and boost economic growth. Once these initiatives are in place, our border will be more efficient for travellers and traders alike.”

The CBSA has a lead role in implementing initiatives under the Action Plan announced by Prime Minister Harper and U.S. President Obama last December. By providing suppliers with a first glance at the upcoming procurement requirements, this communique demonstrates Canada’s commitment to an open and transparent process.

On December 7, 2011, the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the United States announced an Action Plan containing more than 30 initiatives designed to speed up legitimate trade and travel, and improve North American security. As the Government of Canada Agency responsible for providing integrated border services, the CBSA is leading or involved with many of the Action Plan’s initiatives.

This communique introduces a new IT Services Supply Chain for the CBSA which will help to establish up to 10 work streams to streamline procurement for the Action Plan and other priority files. Each of the predefined Work Streams will be comprised of multiple resources within a variety of resource categories. The procurement of this Supply Chain will be based on the Public Works and Government Services Canada Task Based Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS) supply arrangement. It is expected that up to three contracts per work stream will be issued.