CPIA Signs Agreement with Export Development Canada

(eSource Canada Business News Network)

The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) and Export Development Canada (EDC) have entered into an agreement that they believe will better help serve Canadian companies who export their products.

The agreement will establish a framework where EDC and CPIA will partner on a number of key strategic initiatives in 2008 and 2009. The initiatives include collaboration on domestic and international industry trade show events, a sharing of industry related market intelligence and engagement in a variety of outreach activities such as speaking engagements, and leveraging Canadian capabilities through exploration of global matchmaking opportunities.

“EDC has been an important supporter of Canadian plastics exports for many years,” said CPIA president and CEO Serge Lavoie. “Formalizing a partnership with the agency creates more opportunities to not only increase exports, but to develop valuable positions within expanding global value chains.”

According to the two groups, the goal of the partnership is to better understand the trends and challenges within the industry, so that both parties can provide value-added services in this segment.

“The Canadian plastics industry has unique exporting needs, and today’s agreement speaks to the important of this key manufacturing sector,” said Eric Siegel, president and CEO of EDC. “By working together, EDC can provide even more targeted solutions to the manufacturing sector, which is vital during a time of slowing global growth and tightening credit conditions.”