"You can't save your way to prosperity". "You have to spend money to make money". Cliches? Or time tested truisms that apply to all businesses?

At the January 19^th SIG hosted by Blenheim member B.D.M. Millwrights, owner Jim Waters talked of investing  time and effort in new export markets . The effort  has helped give B.D.M. a 31% growth rate since 2004 and exports make up 25% of B.D.M.'S sales.  B.D.M. is a design-build construction company that serves the agribusiness and food packaging sectors in Canada, the US and Latin American/the Caribbean. Established in 1991, B.D.M.'s employees include engineers, CAD designers, administrators, fabricators and millwrights.

Jim talked of the need to overcome the fear of pursuing business in countries with language and cultural differences and the need to respect the different way of doing things in foreign dealings. Building trusting relationships with customers in export markets is just as important in the Caribbean as it is in the home market or the US. Being a Canadian company still has great value in foreign markets. Canadians have a level of credibility from the start that can assist in developing new business. Jim included 10 excellent tips on successful exporting which can be found in his presentation. View it by clicking here.

Backing up Jim, Andrea Clements,  Trade Commissioner, Foreign Affairs & International Trade Centre  andrea.clements@international.gc.ca   (519) 560-2750 and Gail Antaya, President & CEO of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce gail@chatham-kentchamber.ca (519) 352-7540, ext. 22 presented information on resources available to business to assist in new market development.

Andrea is available to the south-western Ontario business community to help them in using the extensive resources available through our Embassies and Consulates overseas. Local Trade Commissioners know markets, customs and are often asked to provide potential Canadian suppliers. We were shown the web portal to the "Virtual Commissioner" tool to get into the Foreign Affairs & International Trade Centre  database as a potential exporter.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is the delivery provider of the Export Market Access program which gives grants of up to 50% for eligible activities which include market research, marketing tools, direct contacts and foreign building projects. Up to 50% of eligible costs may be covered. The program is well funded and Gail is anxious to have Chatham-Kent companies take advantage of it.  Detailed information can be found at www.exportaccess.ca.